M.Comm. / The BMW SA Body-in-White section performs an integral function in the production of BMW 3 -series automobiles for the local and international market. The plant as a whole, and the Body-in-White section in particular faces several challenges not least of all the need to reach cost parity with its German sister plants. This means that the planned future production increases will have to be achieved with fewer people, and therefore ways will have to found in order to extract more productive output from existing staff. In this regard the understanding and application of motivational theory holds the key to overcoming the challenges that the department will face. In the course of this research, the theories directly related to motivation as well as certain associated theories will be investigated in order to gain insight as to the content and process of motivation in the work place. The aim is to gain a holistic view of motivational aspects in general, and to provide the basis for a questionnaire aimed at identifying what motivational factors are currently at play in the BMW Body-in-White section. Finally, having identified the issues affecting motivation in the department certain deficiencies or areas of possible improvement will be identified. Recommendations will then be put forward as to how management can go about addressing motivational factors specifically in the BMW Body-in-White section, with the aim of creating an environment conducive to high employee job satisfaction and performance.

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Hochsch. für Wirtschafts-, Rechts- und Sozialwiss., Diss.--St. Gallen, 2007.