Perceptions of Employee Motivation and Its Role in Work Efficiency: a Qualitative Case Study in the Basic Court of Pristina

Background: Kosovo's judicial system has undergone ongoing legal reforms and improvements in infrastructure. However, despite these efforts, overall performance remains a significant challenge for public institutions, highlighting the need to examine factors influencing institutional efficiency. Among these, employee motivation is particularly significant due to its direct impact on the daily operations of the judicial system. While international academic literature widely acknowledges the crucial role of employee motivation in institutional performance, this study specifically investigates how employees at the Basic Court of Prishtina perceive motivation as influencing their work efficiency. Methods: The research draws on findings from semi-structured interviews with court employees and compares these perceptions with published official data on institutional efficiency. Results and Conclusions: The analysis reveals the absence of sustainable mechanisms for fostering employee motivation within the Basic Court of Prishtina. Continuous reforms have not yielded the expected outcomes, mainly due to the predominance of a bureaucratic culture within the institution. Findings from this study closely align with the international academic literature and Public Service Motivation (PSM) theory, which posits that motivation is not merely a matter of financial compensation but is strongly linked to recognition, inclusion, and opportunities for professional development. Findings from this research underscore the need for reforms that consider the human and cultural dimensions of public institutions, offering practical recommendations for establishing an effective, long-term motivation system within the judicial system.