An Exploratory Analysis into Intrinsic & Extrinsic Employee Motivation in the Workplace

Barron, Jennifer (2021) An Exploratory Analysis into Intrinsic & Extrinsic Employee Motivation in the Workplace. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

The researcher identified an issue in a contemporary Human Resource Management setting that exists. The research issue relates to Intrinsic and Extrinsic motivation in the workplace. Whereby an employer shall utilize one source of motivation over another, of which causes an imbalance in the fulfilment of utmost employee motivation. The research delves into the cognitive mind, and by definition what constitutes Intrinsic and Extrinsic motivation as remarked by Human Resource Practitioners, and employees alike. As the field of motivation in a HR setting is considered interchangeable, and subjective. The researcher intends on striving toward a definition of motivation that can resonate with all. The Methodology utilized is a Qualitative approach whereby 8 semi-structured interviews are conducted. The purpose of the Qualitative research approach was to recruit 8 diverse employees, and decipher what constitutes both Intrinsic and Extrinsic motivation. Further to this, to ameliorate potential gaps for organizations instilling motivational systems for the intention of succession. In the field of Intrinsic and Extrinsic motivation in application, the researcher found two key findings. Firstly, the theme that emerged regarding the concept of window dressing. Whereby employees are enticed to work for organizations under false pretenses of an idealism. From an exterior perspective, employers shall portray an image of attractive motivational schemes. However, an employee shall discern an organization's motivational systems as to be erroneous in nature. There is evidentiary support in the findings of the detrimental effects this has on employee motivation. Lastly, despite a significant amount of academic literature outlining the trends in Extrinsic motivational schemes. Intrinsic motivation is considered a phenomena, and a key competitive advantage for an employer in a hypercompetitive world. An emotionally intelligent leader, empathetic environment, and emotional fulfilment translate into heartening levels of employee motivation. Interestingly, showing a positive correlation with enriched dopamine chemicals in the brain that respond to emotional experience and the value identified at work. All in all, Intrinsic schemes tend to not be costly in the design and implementation, however it is held they are not utilized enough to an employer’s advantage.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Performance Management > Motivation H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Performance Management > Reward Management
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	12 Jan 2022 11:50
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2022 11:50
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5275

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