Motivation and work behavior in tourism-related businesses located on the Thai-Malaysian border during Thailand’s Reform Period

Abstract

This survey research was aimed at 1) investigating motivation and work behavior in tourism-related businesses located on the Thai-Malaysian border; 2) comparing work behaviors within tour operator establishments versus those in hotel establishments; and 3) examining the relationship between motivation and work behavior in tourism-related businesses located on the Thai-Malaysian border in the context of Thailand’s reform era. The three sample groups consisted of frontier tourism businesses and their employees located in Yala Province; tourism industry entrepreneurs, including hotel and tour businesses; and relevant public and private sectors. Data collection was achieved using questionnaires and interviews. The findings suggest that overall motivation toward work is determined by career growth, interpersonal relationships, work environment, rewards, and having a work-life balance. These aspects of motivation have a positive correlation at a moderate level with the work behavior of employees in the hotel industry, with a statistical significance of .05