The reincarnation of work motivation: Millennials vs older generations

Journal article


Mahmoud, A.B, Reisel, W.D., Grigoriou, N., Fuxman, L. and Mohr, I. (2020). The reincarnation of work motivation: Millennials vs older generations. International Sociology. 35 (4), p. 393– 414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580920912970
AuthorsMahmoud, A.B, Reisel, W.D., Grigoriou, N., Fuxman, L. and Mohr, I.
Abstract

Abstract:
This study examines generational differences in valuing the sources of motivation in workplace behaviour between millennials and older generations, with a view to assist managers in making employment decisions and maintaining multigenerational staff in the services sector. Based on systematically sampled data, the authors used Gagné et al.’s Multidimensional Work Motivational Scale (MWMS) to measure the different facets of work motivators alongside a three-item measure of employee overall work motivation (designed for this study) to address the hypotheses. Using structural equation modelling procedures to analyse the data, the authors found that four out of six motivators regress differently to overall work motivation. In other words, both extrinsic regulation–material and identified regulation are valued more by millennials compared to older generations, while extrinsic regulation–social and introjected regulation are valued less by millennials compared to older generations.

Résumé
Dans cette étude, nous analysons les différences générationnelles d’appréciation des sources de motivation dans le comportement au travail entre la génération des millénials et les générations plus âgées, dans l’objectif d’aider les gestionnaires à prendre des décisions en matière d’embauche et à maintenir des équipes multigénérationnelles dans le secteur des services. À partir de données ayant fait l’objet d’un échantillonnage systématique, nous avons utilisé l’Échelle multidimensionnelle de la Motivation au Travail (MWMS) de Gagné et al. (2015) pour mesurer les différents aspects des facteurs de motivation au travail, ainsi qu’une échelle de mesure en trois points de la motivation globale des employés au travail (conçue pour cette étude) pour examiner les hypothèses formulées. En utilisant des modèles d’équations structurelles, nous avons constaté que quatre des six facteurs de motivation pèsent différemment sur la motivation globale au travail : la régulation extrinsèque (matérielle) et la régulation identifiée sont plus valorisées par les millénials que par les générations plus âgées, tandis que la régulation extrinsèque (sociale) et la régulation introjectée sont moins valorisées par les millénials que par leurs aînés.

Resumen
Este artículo analiza las diferencias generacionales en la valoración de las fuentes de motivación en el comportamiento en el trabajo entre la generación de los millenials y las generaciones mayores, con el objetivo de ayudar a los gerentes a tomar decisiones de reclutamiento y mantener una plantilla multigeneracional en el sector servicios. Usando datos muestreados sistemáticamente, se utiliza la Escala de Motivación Laboral Multidimensional (MWMS) de Gagné et al. (2015) para medir las diferentes facetas de los motivadores laborales junto con una medida de 3 ítems de la motivación laboral general de los empleados (diseñada para este estudio) para abordar las hipótesis formuladas. Utilizando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales, se ha hallado que cuatro de los seis motivadores tienen un peso diferente sobre la motivación laboral general. Tanto la regulación extrínseca (material) y la regulación identificada son más valoradas por los millennials en comparación con las generaciones anteriores, mientras que la regulación extrínseca (social) y la regulación introyectada son menos valoradas por los millennials que por las generaciones anteriores.

KeywordsGenerational differences; invariance analysis; motivation; self-determination theory; structural equation modelling
Year2020
JournalInternational Sociology
Journal citation35 (4), p. 393– 414
PublisherSAGE Publications
ISSN 1461-7242
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580920912970
Web address (URL)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0268580920912970
Publication dates
Print13 May 2020
Publication process dates
Accepted2020
Deposited07 Aug 2023
Accepted author manuscript
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