Motivation and Work Performance
Research Questions
How does the different types of motivation impact work performance? Is there a relationship between specific type of motivation and work performance?
Motivation
Motivation is not just a one-step concept. According to Krause, Bochner & Duchesne (2003) “Motivation involves the processes that energize, direct and sustain behavior. It can be thought of as an internal process that activates guides and maintains behavior overtime.” Intrinsic motivation can be defined as motivation based on taking pleasure in an activity rather than working towards an external reward. According to Akanbi (2001), people who are intrinsically motivated will be committed to the work to the extent to which the job inherently contains tasks that are awarding to them. Data around intrinsic motivation was first acknowledged within experimental studies of animal behavior. Deci and Ryan (2000) explain that scientists discovered that many organisms engage in exploratory, playful, and curiosity-driven behaviors even in the absence of reinforcement or reward. Furthermore, Deci and Ryan (2000) further note that “these spontaneous behaviors, although clearly bestowing adaptive benefits on the organism, appear not to be done for any such instrumental reason, but rather for the positive experiences associated with exercising and extending ones capacities.” Some scientists argue that intrinsic motivation exists in a natural form, or state, at birth. Deci and Ryan (2000) note, “ From birth onward, humans, in their healthiest states, are active, inquisitive, curious, and playful creatures, displaying a ubiquitous readiness to learn and explore, and they do not require extraneous incentives to do so.” This leads to the idea that humans, at birth, begin to complete such activities like attempting to walk, talk and touch things due to intrinsic motivation. Kaplan et al (2007) agree with the above research “Intrinsic motivation is clearly visible in young
How does the different types of motivation impact work performance? Is there a relationship between specific type of motivation and work performance?
Motivation
Motivation is not just a one-step concept. According to Krause, Bochner & Duchesne (2003) “Motivation involves the processes that energize, direct and sustain behavior. It can be thought of as an internal process that activates guides and maintains behavior overtime.” Intrinsic motivation can be defined as motivation based on taking pleasure in an activity rather than working towards an external reward. According to Akanbi (2001), people who are intrinsically motivated will be committed to the work to the extent to which the job inherently contains tasks that are awarding to them. Data around intrinsic motivation was first acknowledged within experimental studies of animal behavior. Deci and Ryan (2000) explain that scientists discovered that many organisms engage in exploratory, playful, and curiosity-driven behaviors even in the absence of reinforcement or reward. Furthermore, Deci and Ryan (2000) further note that “these spontaneous behaviors, although clearly bestowing adaptive benefits on the organism, appear not to be done for any such instrumental reason, but rather for the positive experiences associated with exercising and extending ones capacities.” Some scientists argue that intrinsic motivation exists in a natural form, or state, at birth. Deci and Ryan (2000) note, “ From birth onward, humans, in their healthiest states, are active, inquisitive, curious, and playful creatures, displaying a ubiquitous readiness to learn and explore, and they do not require extraneous incentives to do so.” This leads to the idea that humans, at birth, begin to complete such activities like attempting to walk, talk and touch things due to intrinsic motivation. Kaplan et al (2007) agree with the above research “Intrinsic motivation is clearly visible in young
References: Akanbi, P. (2001). Influence of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation on Employees’ Performance. http://www.ilo.org/public/english/iira/documents/congresses/regional/lagos2011/3rdparallel/session3b/motivationworker.pdf Retrieved 27 June 2012. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley, 2010. p 172. Retrieved from: http://site.ebrary.com/lib/stthom/Doc?id=10469646&ppg=172 Bjorklund C (2001) Thomas, K. W. (2002). Intrinsic motivation at work: Building energy and commitment. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.