Motivating Personnel at Russian Nuclear Power Plants: A Case-Study of Motivation Theory Application

Abstract

The article examines the case of personnel management at the facilities of the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom). The data are derived from surveys of nuclear facility employees conducted by Minatom Professional Training Institute Atomenergo. This analysis compares the survey's findings on personnel motivation with the findings of a major Russian polling organization, and uses motivation theory to develop recommendations for personnel management strategies at Russian nuclear power plants (NPPs). The study has important implications as increased scrutiny is focused on the safety and security of Russia's nuclear stockpile and ultimately on the role that personnel management systems will play in positively or negatively influencing nuclear security. The article also draws upon the authors' experience in teaching and consulting with the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy since 1999. Additionally, one of the authors is a Russian citizen.