Employee Motivational Factors For the Korean Online Game Industry

Employee motivation is an extremely important issue in Korea’s online game industry where the recruiting and retention of company professionals is a key to survival. This study was conducted with the specific goal of determining the primary motivational factors for Korea’s online game industry workers. Self-perceived motivational factors focus on having interesting/favorable jobs followed by additional rewards/incentives and feelings of contribution. Using a statistical framework, self-actualizing factors such as having an interesting job or feelings of contribution at work were identified as being of higher motivational worth than financial compensation in many cases. However, as workers age, the desire for job security and work/life balance does not outweigh the motivation provided by incentives and salary. This study offers valuable direction to Korean game industry HR managers and executives in designing employment, worker development and retention packages.