Motivation through the design of work: test of a theory

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Abstract

A model is proposed that specifies the conditions under which individuals will become internally motivated to perform effectively on their jobs. The model focuses on the interaction among three classes of variables: (a) the psychological states of employees that must be present for internally motivated work behavior to develop; (b) the characteristics of jobs that can create these psychological states; and (c) the attributes of individuals that determine how positively a person will respond to a complex and challenging job. The model was tested for 658 employees who work on 62 different jobs in seven organizations, and results support its validity. A number of special features of the model are discussed (including its use as a basis for the diagnosis of jobs and the evaluation of job redesign projects), and the model is compared to other theories of job design.

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    This report was prepared in connection with research supported by the Office of Naval Research (Organizational Effectiveness Research Program, Contract No. N00014-67A-0097-0026, NR 170–744), and by the Manpower Administration, U.S. Department of Labor (Research and Development Grant No. 21-09-74-14). Since grantees conducting research under government sponsorship are encouraged to express their own judgment freely, this report does not necessarily represent the official opinion or policy of the government.

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