Perceptions and experiences of external motivational tools: an experimental study

Understanding employee motivation is crucial for enhancing organizational performance. Managers need to identify factors influencing employee behavior as these directly impact job performance. However, pinpointing motivational sources is challenging, and experimental studies on this subject are scarce. This study aims to explore the effects of various motivational tools on employees during computerized tasks using a qualitative, experimental approach. Conducted with 15 accounting staff from a joint-stock company in Aksaray, participants were selected via purposeful sampling. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using MAXQDA 22 with thematic content analysis. Findings revealed two main themes: "unusual motivational tools" and "traditional motivational tools." Under "unusual tools," subthemes included "motivation experiences" and "experimental process experiences." Results showed that external stimuli like music, scent, and monetary rewards significantly boosted motivation for most participants, though some remained unchanged. Overall, extrinsic tools demonstrated a positive impact on employee motivation.