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Employee Motivation through Higher Purpose: A double edged sword

Erkkilä, Petra LU and Welp, Thekla LU (2016) BUSN49 20161
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Title: Employee Motivation through Higher Purpose: A double edged sword

Authors: Petra Erkkilä & Thekla Welp

Supervisor: Sverre Spoelstra

Submission Date: 20th of May 2016

Keywords:
Non-profit organisation, employee motivation, higher purpose, social responsibility

Purpose:
To critically review the impact of organisational purpose on employee motivation and to understand employee motivation in the non-profit sector

Research Question:
How does higher purpose impact employee motivation in non-profit organisations?

Methodology:
Using an interpretative approach, we developed a qualitative study. We collected our empirical material by conducting and analysing 11 interviews with different employees in a non-profit... (More)
Title: Employee Motivation through Higher Purpose: A double edged sword

Authors: Petra Erkkilä & Thekla Welp

Supervisor: Sverre Spoelstra

Submission Date: 20th of May 2016

Keywords:
Non-profit organisation, employee motivation, higher purpose, social responsibility

Purpose:
To critically review the impact of organisational purpose on employee motivation and to understand employee motivation in the non-profit sector

Research Question:
How does higher purpose impact employee motivation in non-profit organisations?

Methodology:
Using an interpretative approach, we developed a qualitative study. We collected our empirical material by conducting and analysing 11 interviews with different employees in a non-profit organisation.

Findings:
Based on our interpretations of the empirical material, we suggest that higher purpose can be understood as both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and in reality the two are difficult to separate. We also noticed that higher purpose as a motivating factor is a double edged sword; it serves as a primary source of motivation for employees, but simultaneously can be experienced as energy consuming for both employees and the organisation. Lastly, we wish to emphasise the strong impact the recent social responsibility trend has on higher purpose to function as a motivational force.

Contributions:
Our research adds to the limited academic discussion on employee motivation within the non-profit sector. We also suggest practical implications, by providing insight into how organisations can enhance employee motivation through exploiting their higher purpose. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Erkkilä, Petra LU and Welp, Thekla LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN49 20161
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Non-profit organisation, employee motivation, higher purpose, social responsibility
language
English
id
8878285
date added to LUP
2016-06-27 15:04:12
date last changed
2016-06-27 15:04:12
@misc{8878285,
  abstract     = {{Title: Employee Motivation through Higher Purpose: A double edged sword

Authors: Petra Erkkilä & Thekla Welp

Supervisor: Sverre Spoelstra

Submission Date: 20th of May 2016

Keywords: 
Non-profit organisation, employee motivation, higher purpose, social responsibility

Purpose: 
To critically review the impact of organisational purpose on employee motivation and to understand employee motivation in the non-profit sector

Research Question: 
How does higher purpose impact employee motivation in non-profit organisations?

Methodology: 
Using an interpretative approach, we developed a qualitative study. We collected our empirical material by conducting and analysing 11 interviews with different employees in a non-profit organisation.

Findings: 
Based on our interpretations of the empirical material, we suggest that higher purpose can be understood as both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and in reality the two are difficult to separate. We also noticed that higher purpose as a motivating factor is a double edged sword; it serves as a primary source of motivation for employees, but simultaneously can be experienced as energy consuming for both employees and the organisation. Lastly, we wish to emphasise the strong impact the recent social responsibility trend has on higher purpose to function as a motivational force.

Contributions: 
Our research adds to the limited academic discussion on employee motivation within the non-profit sector. We also suggest practical implications, by providing insight into how organisations can enhance employee motivation through exploiting their higher purpose.}},
  author       = {{Erkkilä, Petra and Welp, Thekla}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Employee Motivation through Higher Purpose: A double edged sword}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}