APPLICATION OF AN INTEGRATED MOTIVATION AND WORK ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK TO IMPROVE TSA PERFORMANCE AND RETENTION
Authors
Rottman, Michal C.
Subjects
performance
retention
motivation
teams
work engagement
aviation security
retention
motivation
teams
work engagement
aviation security
Advisors
Dew, Nicholas
Aten, Kathryn J.
Date of Issue
2025-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The mission of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is critical to the security and economic stability of the United States. TSA employs approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to screen commercial aviation passengers and their belongings at more than 430 airports across the country. These officers are hired, trained, and equipped to identify potential threats and prevent and deter terrorist attacks in the aviation transportation system. Since the agency’s founding in 2001, TSA has improved training and deployed advanced technologies to improve performance for TSOs. To amplify these gains, TSA should consider how motivation and work engagement research may be used to improve performance and increase retention. This thesis examines six motivation and work engagement theories and analyzes how findings from this area of study may be applied in the TSA operating environment. An integrated model is proposed that may yield positive results in agency performance and retention by improving culture, increasing engagement, and expanding learning outcomes. Recommendations are made for a process of experimentation and implementation of the model in the TSA operating environment.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (CHDS)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.