A Profile Approach to Self-Determination Theory Motivations at Work.

10 Pages Posted: 20 Jul 2015 Last revised: 3 Aug 2015

See all articles by Christina Moran

Christina Moran

MarshBerry

James M. Diefendorff

University of Akron

Tae-Yeol Kim

China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)

Zhi Qiang Liu

Independent

Date Written: December 1, 2012

Abstract

Self-determination theory (SDT) posits the existence of distinct types of motivation (i.e., external, introjected, identified, integrated, and intrinsic). Research on these different types of motivation has typically adopted a variable-centered approach that seeks to understand how each motivation in isolation relates to employee outcomes. We extend this work by adopting cluster analysis in a person-centered approach to understanding how different combinations or patterns of motivations relate to organizational factors. Results revealed five distinct clusters of motivation (i.e., low introjection, moderately motivated, low autonomy, self-determined, and motivated) and that these clusters were differentially related to need satisfaction, job performance, and work environment perceptions. Specifically, the self-determined (i.e., high autonomous motivation, low external motivation) and motivated (i.e., high on all types of motivation) clusters had the most favorable levels of correlates; whereas the low autonomy (i.e., least self-determined) cluster had the least favorable levels of these variables.

Keywords: Cluster analysis; Profile analysis; Self-determination theory; Motivation

Suggested Citation

Moran, Christina and Diefendorff, James M. and Kim, Tae-Yeol and Liu, Zhi Qiang, A Profile Approach to Self-Determination Theory Motivations at Work. (December 1, 2012). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2633056 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2633056

Christina Moran (Contact Author)

MarshBerry ( email )

28601 Chagrin Blvd.
Suite 400
Woodmere, OH 44122
United States

James M. Diefendorff

University of Akron ( email )

259 S. Broadway
Akron, OH 44325
United States

Tae-Yeol Kim

China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) ( email )

Shanghai-Hongfeng Road
Shanghai 201206
Shanghai 201206
China

Zhi Qiang Liu

Independent ( email )

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