Accession Number:

ADA151101

Title:

The Engineers who have Left DCA (Defense Communications Agency): Their Motivations and Aspirations.

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Sherman,C. M.

Report Date:

1984-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

76.0

Abstract:

This thesis attempts to answer two questions what are the reasons behind turnover among engineers at the Defense Communications Agency DCA and what attracts and motivates DCAs engineers. Interviews with engineers who left DCA between January, 1981 and February, 1984 showed that they are overall individuals who have a strong primary need to do professional, challenging technical work that is also important work and to perform the work in a professional environment where appreciation of their work is communicated to them by competent management. They are drawn to a particular job largely by the nature of the work it offers. The opportunity to have a positive personal impact is another attractor variable, as is the opportunity to grow professionally and technically. The motivation to seek a new job can come from the perception that one is dead-ended professionally or has no more opportunity to grow technically. For the majority, salary is at most a secondary consideration in deciding to leave a job. Engineers may also be induced to leave a challenging, significant job if matters external to the work process itself become intolerable or highly frustrating, and a position of equal or greater merit is available elsewhere. Keywords include Turnover engineer scientist motivation Defense Communications Agency management research and development retention.

Descriptors:

• *RETENTION(GENERAL)
• *ENGINEERS
• *JOB SATISFACTION
• JOBS
• MANAGEMENT
• THESES
• CAREERS
• MILITARY RESEARCH
• WORK
• MOTIVATION
• SCIENTISTS

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Psychology
• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE