Investigation of the determinants of motivation in the workplace

Over the past decades, researchers have suggested numerous motivational theories with different determinants of motivation in the workplace. While four theories have been widely accepted and implemented in companies around the world, it should be noted that the organisational characteristics they recommend are partially contradictory while simultaneously the number of work-related psychological disorders is alarmingly high. In the present study, it is hypothesised that the determinants of motivation differ dependant on the personality type a person has, i.e. different types require different organisational characteristics in order to experience a high level of motivation. 351 participants drawn from the British and German working population took part in a paper-based survey and were subsequently assigned to four different personality groups based on the personality systems interactions theory (PSI theory). While linking the theories' different recommendations for organisational characteristics to the corresponding types, it could be shown through a correlational design that motivation in the workplace is determined by a specific composition of factors for each personality type.

Autorentext

Christian Gemar was born in Hamburg, Germany and obtained a first degree in Business Science & Management from the Nordakademie, Elmshorn, Germany. He held various positions across the globe and deepened his knowledge of marketing and human resources before he completed his M.Sc. in Psychology at the University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom.