The structure of work motivation of a modern Russian leader (based on the study of middle managers working in banking sector)

Abstract

Motivation has been the central issue of general and organizational psychology. Knowing the factors that predict labor effectiveness is important for the development of psychological theory and practice. A lot of psychological studies have been focused on work motivation. However, most of them were focused on ordinary employees or a generalized category «employee» without identification of the specific professional groups and levels. Using this approach, one takes a risk to study abstract labor subjects with real people left aside.
The article presents the factor-analytic model (hierarchical structure) of work motivation among contemporary Russian managers. The sample consisted of middle managers in banking (N = 123). Different aspects of work motivation were investigated with a battery of questionnaires. Using the factor analysis (PCA иCFA) the structure of middle managers’ work motivation was identified and confirmed. It was found that the main factors of manager’s work motivation are the work process itself, aspiration for self-development, belonging to a team and self-realization. Social prestige, recognition and career development were shown to be important for managers as well as material awards and emotional comfort. The study confirmed propositions of Atkinson & McClelland's need for achievement theory and the job-based theories as well as theoretical propositions of Russian psychology oriented on conducting the sense analysis of every activity and work activity in particular. The obtained results may be useful for providing psychological support for professional self-development of managers. The research materials also may form the basis for further research on the work motivation of modern Russian managers.