What motivates senior managers?

Abstract

While a great deal of understanding has been gained about senior managers’ motivation in the West, very little has been done in the Eastern European countries to understand what motivates senior managers. This article is based on the results of a first time study that was recently carried out in 23 Romanian organisations. It aims at gaining a better understanding of senior managers’ motivation for improved performance and effectiveness at work. The methodology employed, consisting of survey questionnaire and sample interviews, led to the emergence of a group of factors including “recognition and appreciation”, “salary and remuneration”, “promotional status”, and “job satisfaction”. Moreover, although there are similarities between what motivates senior managers in both Western and Eastern European countries, the differences point to the need for better understanding of senior managers, their perception and their views as well as organisational and the wider contexts in which they work.