Work Motivation: Theory, Practice, and Future Directions

Abstract This chapter focuses on recent scientific advances and use-inspired research on motivation related to adult work. The chapter is divided into four sections. The first section reviews basic motivation constructs and processes, and the issues that delineate the scope and content of the field. The second section reports on research progress and the implications of new conceptualizations for understanding and predicting work behaviors and performance. The third section reviews findings on the major determinants of work motivation, organized into three broad categories: content (person variables), context (situation variables), and change (temporal variables). The fourth and final section identifies current gaps in our knowledge, practical challenges, and promising new research directions.