Abstract
Short-term incentives, considered to be an extrinsic motivation, are commonly
used to motivate performance. This study explored hospital managers’ perceptions of shortterm
incentives in maximising performance and retention.
Research purpose: The study explored the experiences, views and perceptions of private
hospital managers in South Africa regarding the use of short-term incentives to maximise
performance and retention, as well as the applicability of the findings to public hospitals.
Motivation for the study: Whilst there is an established link between performance reward
schemes and organisational performance, there is little understanding of the effects of shortterm
incentives on the performance and retention of hospital managers within the South
African context.
Research design, approach, and method: The study used a qualitative research design:
interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 19 hospital managers, and a thematic
content analysis was performed.
Main findings: Short-term incentives may not be the primary motivator for hospital managers,
but they do play a critical role in sustaining motivation. Participants indicated that these schemes
could also be applicable to public hospitals.
Practical/managerial implications: Hospital managers are inclined to be more motivated by
intrinsic than extrinsic factors. However, hospital managers (as middle managers) also seem
to be motivated by short-term incentives. A combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators
should thus be used to maximise performance and retention...