Intrinsic Motivation in the Military: Models and Strategic Importance.
Abstract
In this report, prepared for the Eighth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, intrinsic task motivation is related to self-management, a set of problem solving behaviors corresponding to the requirements specified for twenty-first century military personnel. Intrinsic task motivation refers to the psychological rewards that individuals derive directly from their work tasks. An integrative theory presents four types of intrinsic rewards: senses of meaningfulness, choice, competence, and progress. These rewards correspond to four types of decision-making behaviors that define self-management: committing to a meaningful purpose, choosing activities to accomplish this purpose, monitoring the quality/competence of one's activities, and monitoring one's progress toward the purpose. Self-management is contrasted with micro-management: the dominant style of the traditional or 'old school' of management. Intrinsic motivation and self management are more congruent with the military's strategic human resource requirements in the twenty-first century, as exemplified by Total Quality Management, Force XXI, and the U.S. Army as a learning organization. The potential benefits of intrinsic task motivation and self-management include, at the individual level, flexibility, adaptation, responsiveness, innovation, learning, and satisfaction. These, in turn, are expected to lead to enhanced retention and readiness, at individual and unit levels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA317094
Entities
People
- Erik Jansen
- Kenneth Thomas
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School