Background
In recent years, there has been fluctuation in the oil and gas sector performance due to weak oil prices that resulted in lower price realisation for the companies resulting in a significant downfall in their revenues and earnings (Hammadi, et al., 2019). The decline in the oil prices impacted the oil and gas upstream, especially in the region of Emirates, which resulted in many of the projects getting hold (Hammadi, et al., 2019). Due to this, the companies in the sector had to cut down the benefits and other expenses, leading to insecurity, instability, and uncertainty among employees. This resulted in low job satisfaction among employees in the sector because they were not motivated by the work environment (Hammadi, et al., 2019). Al-Ali et al. (2018) argued that it is important for organisations to focus on motivational factors as it has contributed towards achieving job satisfaction.
Research Questions
The main aim of this proposed study is to conduct a comparative analysis of employee job satisfaction and motivational factors in the oil and gas sector. The research questions that will be used to conduct this proposed study are as follows:
- What is the relationship between Pay/Rewards Policies on Job Satisfaction in the oil and gas industry?
- What is the relationship between Promotion and Recognition Policies on Job Satisfaction in the oil and gas industry?
- What is the relationship between Work Life Balance Policies on Job Satisfaction in the oil and gas industry?
- What is the relationship between Relationship with Supervisors and Co-workers on Job Satisfaction in the oil and gas industry?
- What are the ways to improve employee`s job satisfaction and motivation in the oil and gas industry?
Research Rationale
Various studies have been conducted to determine the concept of motivation and its contribution to job satisfaction. Even though, the research is conducted on the few variables but there is still need to learn about the factors that lead to employee job satisfaction in the oil and gas sector. A comparison of employee job satisfaction and motivational challenges in the oil and gas sector has not been done extensively due to which this study will contribute in overcoming this area of research. With the help of this study, the organisations working in the oil and gas sector will be able to understand the relationship between motivational factors and employees job satisfaction.
Literature Review
Previous research has indicated a strong relationship between motivation and job satisfaction (Irawanto, Novianti, & Roz, 2021). Ali and Anwar (2021) stated that the main result of motivation is job satisfaction. Basalamah and Asad (2021) stated that motivation and job satisfaction are linked concepts as motivational factor lead to job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Onyebuenyi (2016) argued that managers enhance employee motivation by increasing job satisfaction. While on the other hand, some researchers believe that motivation and job satisfaction are different phenomena, such as Jalagat (2016) argued that motivation is related to the future. In contrast, job satisfaction is associated with the past.
According to Alias (2018), different factors lead to employee job satisfaction, including pay or rewards, promotion, relationship with manager/supervisor, relationship with co-workers, and work conditions. Wolomasi, Asaloei, & Werang (2019) stated that the lack of reward leads to unpleasant atmosphere and decreases the efforts of work of employee. Pinna, et al. (2020) argued that recognition is important for job satisfaction as individuals prefer considered by their managers or supervisors
Moreover, Rodríguez-Sánchez et al (2020) identified that individual with work life balance are more contended, satisfied and reported the mental and physical wellbeing (Bellmann, & Hübler, 2021: Talukder, 2019). Abas, et al. (2021) declared that co-Workers and Supervisors has gained greater attention because of its positive ramification at workplace. Anwar and Budi (2018) also confirms that co-worker support is critical for achievement of performance and job satisfaction.
Research Methodology
The proposed study will adopt Saunders Research Onion to determine the methods and approaches it will use to gather information and present findings for the study (Sahay, 2016).
Research Philosophy
The research philosophy that the proposed study will use is interpretivism, as it will help to evaluate the relationship between motivation and job satisfaction from different historical and social perspectives. Even though the philosophy has the drawback that result is generalised but it has strong validity due to which the results of the study will be considered as valid (Snyder, 2019).
Research Approach
The proposed study will adopt an inductive research approach because it aims to compare the concepts of job satisfaction and motivation in the oil and gas industry. The research topic is board as it involves consideration of different oil and gas companies in the world due to which inductive approach seems to be highly relevant as it will provide generalisations based on the specific data of oil and gas industry.
Methodological Choice
It will adopt the mono-qualitative method as it aims to understand two concepts in the oil and gas sector. The single qualitative method would make it easier to discuss the topic and present reliable findings (Snyder, 2019).
Data Collection and Analysis
This proposed study will involve collecting secondary data to analyse the aim because there is a lot of researches available on motivation and job satisfaction. To gather secondary data, search will be done by using databases and search engines such as Jstor, Emerald, EBSCOHost, and Google Scholar. To find relevant studies keywords will be used such as motivation in the oil and gas sector, job satisfaction and motivation, job satisfaction in oil and gas industry, and others.
The studies will be filtered out by considering inclusion and exclusion criteria to make sure that only relevant and reliable researches are used to present findings for this proposed study (Patel and Patel, 2019). In order to analyse the gathered data, qualitative data analysis will be used in which content analysis will be performed. The selected studies will be analysed in tabular form that will discuss the findings of selected research.
