A study on reward practices and performance mangement system in SLAF

Abstract

Middie-grade Officers in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) are commonly experiencing the consequences of the non-existence of a proper reward mechanism. Middle-grade Officers have been recognized as the core of a military force. However, SLAF Pay and Record indicated that the majority of middle-grade Officers are leaving the SLAF in the recent past. This study aims to explore the impact of reward practices on Officers' job performance and to recommend a reward awarding mechanism to retain and attract SLAF Officers. The literature review suggested the associations among Extrinsic Rewards (ER), Extrinsic Rewards (IR), Job Satisfaction (JS), and Performance (P). Besides, the researcher found that (JS) Job Satisfaction acts as a mediator between the independent variables of ER and IR as well as the dependent variable of P. The sample of 253 middle-grade Officers was selected using stratified random sampling technique. Researcher has used SPSS 26 statistical tool in order to analyse the collected data through questionnaires and hypotheses testing. The positive relationships observed between P and all IVs suggested that performance of middle grade officers is strongly influenced by ER, IR, and JS at a significance of less than 0.05. Moreover, Sobel statistics indicated that the associations between ER and IR with P are significantly mediated by JS. Therefore, researcher concluded that both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards play a crucial role in fostering job satisfaction, which in turn influences the performance of middle-grade officers in the SLAF. The deductive approach-based study has resorted to a quantitative study while encompassed with positivism research philosophy. Researcher derived a regression model that represents linear relationship between discussed IVs, MV and DV. The researcher recommended revising reward practices in the SLAF, promoting an intrinsic reward culture, ensuring fairness in promotion practices, etc. Results underpinned that rewards play a pivotal role in maintaining high levels of motivation among officers, consequently enhancing their job satisfaction. In turn, it was found to significantly contribute to the performance of middle-grade officers in the SLAF.