Assessing the priority levels of motivational factors for lecturers: A case study at vietnam national university, Hanoi

Abstract

Creating motivation plays a crucial role in enhancing the job performance of university lecturers. This study aims to assess the motivational factors among lecturers at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Five factors with 30 sub-factors influencing lecturers' motivation are considered in this study, including: salary and benefits (S_B, including 6 sub-factors), leadership skills (L_S, including 7 sub-factors), training and professional development opportunities (T_D, including 6 sub-factors), working conditions and environment (W_C, including 5 sub-factors), and recognition and rewards for accomplishments (R_R, including 6 sub-factors). This study applies the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method using a generalized fuzzy set for analysis. The steps of the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process include: determining the comparison matrix of generalized trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, calculating the values of the fuzzy synthetic extents, and defining the weight vector of generalized trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Data for the study were collected through expert interviews employing a questionnaire. The analysis results indicate that leadership skills and salary and benefits are the most influential factors on lecturers' motivation at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, followed by working conditions and environment, recognition and rewards for accomplishments, and training and professional development opportunities. Based on the analysis results, the study proposes several solutions to create motivation among lecturers at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, including: VNU-Hanoi and its affiliated units should prioritize bolstering the training of lecturer teams, particularly focusing on educational and training management staff. Furthermore, additional resources should be allocated to improve lecturer income, welfare, and rewards, alongside increasing investment and optimizing the utilization of infrastructure and educational materials for teaching and research purposes.