Meaningful Motivation for Work Motivation Theory

This article discusses the July 2004 “Academy of Management Review” Special Topic Forum on the Future of Work Motivation Theory. The author feels that, while the forum opens up new research directions to help understand what motivates workers to work, it says little about why workers should be motivated to work. There is a direct connection between early developments in motivation theory and the history of philosophical and psychological ethics. It is noted that motivational efforts may exert control over individual moral autonomy. Making the link between meaningful work and work motivation theory will supposedly stimulate further inquiry and research into meaningful work. The author notes the connection between worker motivation and productivity within individual and group performance.