Reconceptualizing Teacher Motivation - Integrating Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory with Niat and Ikhlas in Islamic Education

Sep 10, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky

This study analyzes how niat (religious intention) and ikhlas (sincerity) operate as spiritual motivators in madrasah teachers’ work motivation through an integration of Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory with Islamic values. The research addresses the persistent problem of low teacher welfare that challenges conventional motivation models centered on material factors. Using a qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) design, interviews, observations, and documentation were conducted with 15 purposively selected informants from MTs An-Nizham Jambi City.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Teacher work motivation in Indonesia and madrasahs

Welfare gap and theoretical implications

Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and its limits in Islamic education

Reconceptualizing Teacher Motivation: Integrating Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory with Niat and Ikhlas in Islamic Education Rusmini1 Saidah2 Nispi Syahbani3 [Rizkarusmini@uinjambi.ac.id](Rizkarusmini@uinjambi.ac.id) [nispisyahbani@uinjambi.ac.id](nispisyahbani@uinjambi.ac.id) [saidahsaidah@uinjambi.ac.id](saidahsaidah@uinjambi.ac.id) Abstract: This study aims to analyze the role of niat (religious intention) and ikhlas (sincerity) as spiritual motivators in the work motivation of madrasah teachers through the integration of Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory with Islamic values. The study is grounded in the issue of low teacher welfare in madrasahs, which challenges the assumptions of conventional motivation theories that primarily emphasize material factors. This research employed a qualitative approach using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) involving 15 purposively selected informants from MTs An-Nizham Jambi City. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings reveal that hygiene factors, such as low salaries and limited facilities, did not become the primary source of demotivation because they were compensated by spiritual orientations through niat lillahi ta‘ala and ikhlas. Niat functioned as an intrinsic motivation that provided transcendental meaning to teaching, while ikhlas served as a psychological-spiritual buffer in dealing with material limitations. This study extends Herzberg’s Theory by demonstrating that spirituality can function as a compensatory factor within faith-based organizations. The findings are also relevant for the development of human resource management in value-based and religious organizations. Keywords: teacher motivation; niat; ikhlas; Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory; spiritual motivation Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis peran niat dan ikhlas sebagai motivator spiritual dalam motivasi kerja guru madrasah melalui integrasi Teori Dua Faktor Herzberg dengan nilai-nilai Islam. Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh rendahnya kesejahteraan guru madrasah yang menantang asumsi teori motivasi konvensional berbasis faktor material. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) terhadap 15 informan di MTs An-Nizham Kota Jambi yang dipilih secara purposive. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor hygiene seperti gaji dan fasilitas yang rendah tidak menjadi sumber demotivasi utama karena dikompensasi oleh orientasi spiritual melalui niat lillahi ta‘ala dan sikap ikhlas. Niat berfungsi sebagai 1 Universitas Islam Negeri Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi, Indonesia 2 Universitas Islam Negeri Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi, Indonesia 3 Universitas Islam Negeri Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi, Indonesia motivasi intrinsik yang memberi makna transendental terhadap pekerjaan, sedangkan ikhlas berperan sebagai psychological-spiritual buffer dalam menghadapi keterbatasan material. Penelitian ini memperluas Teori Herzberg dengan menunjukkan bahwa spiritualitas dapat berfungsi sebagai compensatory factor dalam organisasi berbasis agama. Temuan ini juga relevan untuk pengembangan manajemen sumber daya manusia pada organisasi berbasis nilai dan religious. Kata Kunci: Motivasi kerja guru; niat; ikhlas; Teori Dua Faktor Herzberg; motivasi spiritual Introduction Teachers' work motivation is a crucial factor in determining the quality of education in Indonesia. However, understanding the motivation of teachers in Islamic educational institutions requires a more complex approach, given the unique characteristics of madrasas as institutions that integrate academic and spiritual dimensions. The structural condition of madrasah teachers shows significant challenges: of the approximately 1 million madrasah teachers, 84%(864,000 people) have honorary status with an income of IDR 300,000-1,500,000 per month sourced from BOS or f

FAQs

What is the purpose of integrating Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory with niat and ikhlas in Islamic education?

To examine niat and ikhlas as spiritual motivators that help explain madrasah teachers’ work motivation beyond material factors.

Why does the study focus on teacher welfare in madrasahs?

Because limited welfare challenges conventional motivation theories that mainly emphasize hygiene and material satisfiers.

How were the informants selected and what methods were used to collect data?

The study used a qualitative IPA approach with 15 purposively selected informants at MTs An-Nizham Jambi City, collecting data through interviews, observations, and documentation.

Sep 10, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky