Motivating and Hygiene Factors with Respect to Retention and Attrition in Indian IT Companies

Hertzberg’s (1959) two-factor model of motivation suggested that satisfaction was related to intrinsic work (“motivating”) factors, while dissatisfaction was associated with extrinsic (“hygiene”) factors. This independence of the determinants of satisfaction and dissatisfaction would be expected to extend from perceptions to actions. In particular, retention/attrition should mirror the motivating/hygiene dichotomy. The present study proposes to examine the motivating/hygiene dichotomy with respect to attrition in Indian information technology (IT) companies. The study would help Indian IT companies formulate strategies to control attrition and to enhance retention.