Habits, Motivation and Performance: An Integrative Model for Organisational Improvement Grounded in Brain Science
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jbsm.1667Keywords:
Habits, Motivation, Performance, Productivity, Organizational ImprovementAbstract
Purpose: Organizations aim to cultivate motivated and productive workforces, yet often struggle to understand the complex neurological factors shaping employee habits, engagement, and performance. This paper presents an integrative model linking psychological needs, motivation systems, and contextual supports to optimize collective habits and outcomes.
Methodology: A mixed methods study of 400 employees in Zambia's public health sector combined surveys, interviews, statistical analysis, and prior organizational research.
Findings: Results indicated the limitations of existing habit frameworks in capturing neurological dynamics. Just 31% felt current models reliably predict long-term impacts on performance. Key findings revealed that the top motivators were financial rewards, career growth, and training. On-the-job skill-building is also rated highly. Clear expectations, collaboration, and resources further enabled productivity.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Based on the data, a Motivation-Performance Model is proposed, encompassing elements like empowerment, open communication, and flexibility to fulfil psychological needs. Individual, team, and organizational factors intersect to form collective habits and effectiveness. Implementing diagnostic and enhancement strategies based on the model offers an actionable approach to leveraging habits for competitive advantage.
Downloads
References
Aldrup, K., Klusmann, U., & Lüdtke, O. (2017). Does basic need satisfaction mediate the link between stress exposure and well-being? A diary study among beginning teachers. Learning and Instruction, 50, 21-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2016.11.005
Butler, J. K., & Gray, P. H. (2006). Reliability, mindfulness, and information systems. MIS Quarterly, 30(2), 211-224.
Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage Publications.
Deci, E. L., Koestner, R., & Ryan, R. M. (1999). A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 125(6), 627-668. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.125.6.627
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The" what" and" why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behaviour. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
DeChurch, L. A., & Mesmer-Magnus, J. R. (2010). The cognitive underpinnings of effective teamwork: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95(1), 32-53. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017328
Gardner, B., de Bruijn, G. J., & Lally, P. (2011). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Self-Report Habit Index applications to nutrition and physical activity behaviours. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 42(2), 174-187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9282-0
Gerhart, B., & Fang, M. (2014). Pay for (individual) performance: Issues, claims, evidence and the role of sorting effects. Human Resource Management Review, 24(1), 41-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2013.08.010
Ilardi, B. C., Leone, D., Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1993). Employee and supervisor ratings of motivation: Main effects and discrepancies associated with job satisfaction and adjustment in a factory setting. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 23(21), 1789-1805. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1993.tb01066.x
Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007). Toward a definition of mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 112-133. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689806298224
Kwon, K., & Park, J. (2019). The life cycle of employee engagement theory in human resource development research. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 21(3), 300-313. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422319851244
Lally, P., Van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998-1009. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674
Neal, D. T., Wood, W., & Quinn, J. M. (2006). Habits"”A repeat performance. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(4), 198-202. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2006.00435.x
Van den Broeck, A., Ferris, D. L., Chang, C. H., & Rosen, C. C. (2016). A review of self-determination theory's basic psychological needs at work. Journal of Management, 42(5), 1195-1229. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316632058
Zhang, X., & Liu, C. (2011). Organisational climate and its effects on organisational variables: An empirical study. International Journal of Psychological Studies, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v3n2p68
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Brian Mateyo Haketa, Dr. Abubaker Qutieshat
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
