Influence of motivation on employee industrial action in RMG industry: a moderating effect of EGRS

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to identify the influence of employee’s motivation on industrial action in Bangladeshi Readymade Garments (RMG) industry. Limited study can be found that considered employee’s motivation as the cause of industrial action in this sector. In the context of Bangladeshi’s RMG industry, there seems to be a significant gap that exists on the influence of employee motivation on industrial actions. This study used a deductive approach and endeavours to bridge this gap by examining the influence of employee motivation on industrial action moderated by the Employee Grievance Redressal System (EGRS). A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to 600 employees (Line supervisors) who were working in different garment factory in Bangladesh using the non-probability sampling (purposive sampling). A total of 403 set of questionnaires were returned out of the 600. Finally, after initial screening for missing information only 392 were found valid for further analysis. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was employed for data analysis and to test the hypothesis. The findings of this research confirm that intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are the motivators that influence employee industrial actions. In addition, the findings also showed that the EGRS is a significant moderator with employee industrial action and employee motivation. These findings provide meaningful correlation between employee motivation on industrial actions and the EGRS.. The most important practical implication of the findings is that the management or the concerned authority should address intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and implement proper EGRS. Motivation is the force that converts intention into action. Dissatisfied employees execute unrests to voice their needs and industrial rights. Indeed, the findings of this research create a concrete base for supporting future research initiatives in addressing industrial grouses of RMG employees in general and RMG employees of Bangladesh in particular.