Abstract
While some scholars have assessed how various features of organizational structure shape intrinsic motivation, the role of budgets and, in particular, programme funding has been overlooked. To address this gap in the literature, we examine how programme funding decisions impact employee motivation. Referencing previous work, we hypothesize that funding choices that emphasize some programmes over others signal clearer organizational goals for employees, thereby increasing intrinsic motivation. In contrast, departments that do not use their budgets to signal clear goals can run the risk of reducing their employees’ intrinsic motivation. We empirically investigate this hypothesis within the context of the US Federal executive departments, constructing a longitudinal dataset (2010–15) from multiple sources. Findings support our hypothesis. Employees in departments that more evenly fund their programmes report lower levels of intrinsic motivation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Public Administration |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 2019 Jan 1 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Sociology and Political Science
- Public Administration
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Can budget ambiguity crowd out intrinsic motivation? Longitudinal evidence from federal executive departments. / Shon, Jongmin; Porumbescu, Gregory A.; Christensen, Robert K.
In: Public Administration, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Can budget ambiguity crowd out intrinsic motivation? Longitudinal evidence from federal executive departments
AU - Shon, Jongmin
AU - Porumbescu, Gregory A.
AU - Christensen, Robert K.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - While some scholars have assessed how various features of organizational structure shape intrinsic motivation, the role of budgets and, in particular, programme funding has been overlooked. To address this gap in the literature, we examine how programme funding decisions impact employee motivation. Referencing previous work, we hypothesize that funding choices that emphasize some programmes over others signal clearer organizational goals for employees, thereby increasing intrinsic motivation. In contrast, departments that do not use their budgets to signal clear goals can run the risk of reducing their employees’ intrinsic motivation. We empirically investigate this hypothesis within the context of the US Federal executive departments, constructing a longitudinal dataset (2010–15) from multiple sources. Findings support our hypothesis. Employees in departments that more evenly fund their programmes report lower levels of intrinsic motivation.
AB - While some scholars have assessed how various features of organizational structure shape intrinsic motivation, the role of budgets and, in particular, programme funding has been overlooked. To address this gap in the literature, we examine how programme funding decisions impact employee motivation. Referencing previous work, we hypothesize that funding choices that emphasize some programmes over others signal clearer organizational goals for employees, thereby increasing intrinsic motivation. In contrast, departments that do not use their budgets to signal clear goals can run the risk of reducing their employees’ intrinsic motivation. We empirically investigate this hypothesis within the context of the US Federal executive departments, constructing a longitudinal dataset (2010–15) from multiple sources. Findings support our hypothesis. Employees in departments that more evenly fund their programmes report lower levels of intrinsic motivation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85070711071&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85070711071&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/padm.12618
DO - 10.1111/padm.12618
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85070711071
JO - Public Administration
JF - Public Administration
SN - 0033-3298
ER -