Sources of Motivation and Work Engagement: A Cross-Industry Analysis of Differentiated Profiles

Abstract

This cross-industry study tested four theoretical propositions derived from a meta-theory of motivation. Multidimensional assessment utilized to deconstruct five self-based sources of motivation predicted engagement among employees in two disparate industries. Significant differences emerged on four of five motivational sources, and predicted levels of engagement among educators and manufacturing employees. Covariate analysis explored the impact of gender, educational attainment and industry tenure as moderating factors. Dominant source analysis was introduced as an alternative approach to exploring workers’ dispositional sources of motivation. Results substantiate the predictive utility of differential motivational profiles and the stability of motivational sources over years of tenure.