Asking poe to come up with a dissertation proposal on employees' motivation factors: for MBA students (information from poe.com)
My question 1: "I am a part-time MBA student, currently trying to formulate my dissertation proposal. My research theme is on "the perceptions on employees' motivation factors of gen z working in the Hong Kong financial service sector in 2025". My research philosophy is critical realism. I intend to employ 2 major motivation theories,1 theory on total reward system, the sociology concept of reference group, among others. My research methods to use are: (1) semi-structured interview on 5 of my gen z friends, all working in the Hong Kong financial service sector, (2) a focus group with 5 members, two being human resource managers working in the Hong Kong financial service sector, 2 being gen z friends of mine, working in the sales department of a financial service company in Hong Kong, and 1 being a university lecturer in Hong Kong on organizational behavior. I will also conduct a desk research related to my research theme in the context of Hong Kong. Based on these ideas, could you produce a dissertation proposal? Tks."
The reply: "Below is a structured dissertation proposal based on your outlined ideas:
Dissertation Proposal
2. Research Aim and Objectives
- Aim: To investigate and analyze the motivation factors that influence Generation Z employees in the Hong Kong financial service sector.
- Objectives:
- To identify the key motivation factors for Generation Z employees.
- To analyze the relevance and application of motivation theories in the context of Hong Kong’s financial sector.
- To examine how the total reward system influences Generation Z's motivation.
- To assess the role of reference groups in shaping these motivation factors.
- Motivation Theories: Two foundational motivation theories relevant to the context of employees in the financial sector.
- Total Reward System: Conceptual framework that integrates both monetary and non-monetary rewards influencing employee motivation.
- Sociology Concept of Reference Group: Examination of how peers and reference groups shape individual motivation and satisfaction in the workplace.
- Semi-Structured Interviews: Conduct interviews with five Generation Z individuals currently employed in the Hong Kong financial service sector. The interviews will explore personal experiences, perceptions, and opinions regarding motivation factors.
- Focus Group: Organize a focus group with five participants, including:
- Two human resource managers from the financial sector.
- Two Generation Z employees working in sales within financial services.
- One university lecturer specializing in organizational behavior.The focus group will facilitate a discussion on broader trends, expectations, and challenges regarding Generation Z motivation factors.
- Desk Research: Conduct a comprehensive literature review and desk research regarding motivation factors in the context of the Hong Kong financial service sector to inform the study and contextualize findings.
Feel free to modify any sections to better suit your vision or preferences!"
My question 2: "Could you suggest two related research questions to me and then provide a more concrete research method design for each of the three research methods mentioned above. Tks."
The reply: "Here are two related research questions along with a more concrete research method design for each of the three methods you mentioned:
Research Questions
-
What are the key motivation factors that influence Generation Z employees working in the Hong Kong financial service sector, and how do these factors compare to traditional motivation theories?
-
How does the total reward system affect the motivation and job satisfaction of Generation Z employees in the Hong Kong financial service sector?
Research Method Design
1. Semi-Structured Interviews
Design:
- Sampling: Select five Generation Z employees currently working in various roles within the Hong Kong financial service sector (e.g., finance, sales, customer service). Ensure a diverse representation in terms of gender, educational background, and experience levels.
- Interview Guide: Develop a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions such as:
- What motivates you to perform well in your job?
- Can you describe any experiences where you felt especially motivated or demotivated at work?
- How important are factors like salary, benefits, workplace culture, and career development to you?
- Data Collection: Conduct face-to-face or virtual interviews lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. Record the conversations (with consent) for accurate transcription and analysis.
- Data Analysis: Use thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns that emerge from the interviews, focusing on motivation factors and their relation to traditional motivation theories.
2. Focus Group
Design:
- Sampling: Assemble a focus group consisting of five participants: two human resource managers from the financial service sector, two Generation Z employees, and one university lecturer in organizational behavior. Ensure participants have varying perspectives and experiences to enrich the discussion.
- Discussion Guide: Prepare a discussion guide that includes prompts such as:
- What do you believe are the current driving motivation factors for Generation Z employees in your organization?
- How effective is the total reward system in motivating Gen Z compared to other demographics?
- In what ways do reference groups influence the motivation of young employees?
- Data Collection: Facilitate a 60 to 90-minute focus group session, encouraging open dialogue among participants. Use a skilled moderator to guide the discussion and ensure all voices are heard.
- Data Analysis: Transcribe the focus group session and analyze the data using content analysis to highlight key insights and contrasting viewpoints among different participants.
3. Desk Research
Design:
- Literature Review: Conduct a systematic literature review on existing studies related to employee motivation factors, focusing specifically on Generation Z in various sectors, particularly financial services.
- Data Sources: Use academic journals, industry reports, government publications, and reputable online resources specific to Hong Kong's financial service sector. Identify key motivation theories and the components of a total reward system relevant to your research context.
- Data Synthesis: Summarize findings into key themes that align with your research questions. Create a comparative analysis between existing literature and the data collected from interviews and focus groups, focusing on gaps and inconsistencies in the existing knowledge base.
By employing these refined research methods, you'll have a robust design that will help you gather comprehensive and insightful data related to your research questions. If you need further assistance or clarification, feel free to ask!"
My question 3: "Briefly comment on the originality, academic and practical values of this study. Tks."
The reply: "Originality
This study stands out for its focus on a rapidly emerging workforce demographic—Generation Z—in a specific industry context, the Hong Kong financial service sector. While much research has been conducted on employee motivation, the unique intersection of critical realism, motivation theories, and the specific contextual factors within Hong Kong provides a fresh perspective. The inclusion of real-world data through interviews and focus groups adds depth and specificity to the study, highlighting the distinct characteristics and motivational needs of Generation Z employees that may differ from previous generations.
Academic Value
The academic value of this study lies in its contribution to the existing literature on employee motivation, particularly concerning Generation Z. By integrating multiple motivation theories and addressing the total reward system and the sociology concept of reference groups, this research adds a nuanced understanding of motivational factors in contemporary organizational settings. The findings can provide empirical evidence for scholars exploring generational differences in the workplace, advancing theoretical knowledge in organizational behavior, human resource management, and sociology.
Practical Value
From a practical perspective, this study has significant implications for organizations within the financial service sector in Hong Kong. By identifying key motivation factors for Generation Z employees, organizations can better tailor their recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies to meet the evolving needs of this demographic. Insights drawn from the study can guide human resource practices, inform policy-making, and enhance the design of total reward systems, ultimately leading to improved employee satisfaction, performance, and retention in a competitive market. Additionally, understanding the influence of reference groups allows organizations to foster a supportive workplace culture that aligns with the social dynamics of Generation Z employees.
In summary, this study offers a unique exploration of employee motivation in a specific context, contributing both academically and practically to the discourse on managing the next generation of workers."
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