MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS OF ICT INDUSTRYEMPLOYEES FOR INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY

Sažetak

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
industry in Croatia is recognized as the leading contributor to the
national GDP, showing continuous growth and playing a key role in
the country’s technological, social and economic progress. National
strategic plans identify the ICT sector as a cornerstone of economic
development for the next six years, with its growth fundamentally
relying on the innovative activity of its workforce. This paper explores
the key motivators that drive ICT employees toward innovative behavior,
along with work environment factors that influence their level of
motivation.
The research methodology focuses on assessing the valence of intrinsic
motivators, the impact of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation,
and the perceived level of support for innovation within the work
environment. The results indicate a high level of awareness among
employees regarding both their individual innovation potential and
the broader role of the ICT industry. Employees exhibit strong intrinsic
motivation for engaging in innovative activities, with noticeable differences
in how extrinsic motivators are perceived by those in managerial
positions compared to non-managerial staff.
Findings highlight the need to strengthen managerial efforts aimed
at early identification and removal of barriers to innovation. Based
on these insights, the paper provides practical recommendations for
ICT industry managers to develop targeted motivational strategies
that enhance innovation potential within organizations. Additionally,
it outlines directions for future research on employee motivation and
innovation in dynamic, high-growth industries such as ICT.