Employee motivation, satisfaction and retention case study of Vietnam Airlines' expat pilot

Abstract

This thesis investigates Vietnam Airlines’ current issue of expat pilot leakage. By conducting an extensive qualitative case study composed of 10 in-depth interviews with Vietnam Airlines’ expat pilots, the author identify seven main themes that affected on dissatisfaction and turnover of this workforce. Participants described how HRM practices in Vietnam Airlines lead to dissatisfaction in work, and result in turnover. In addition, they also gave recommendations to improve the working condition for expat pilots of Vietnam Airlines. Based on prior researches and founded themes, this study proposes a causal model of employee retention for Vietnam Airlines’ expat pilots. This model can help Vietnam Airlines identify the key factors that affected on expat pilot retention and how to improve the overall working condition for expat pilots. Finally, based on successful practices of other airlines and participant’ recommendations, the author suggests some improvements for employee motivation, satisfaction and retention of Vietnam Airlines’ expat pilots. Key words: Employee retention; Airline pilot; Qualitative