The psychological processes by which routine work reduces work motivation: The mediating effects of job meaningfulness

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that routine work reduces work motivation. However, there has been no focus on the psychological processes that reduce motivation in routine work. This study aimed to investigate the psychological processes by which employee motivation is reduced in routine work. A total of 261 office workers from 9 corporations and a university responded to a questionnaire, which asked the participants about the extent of any routine work they performed, the perceived meaningfulness of their job (other-, self-, or reward-oriented), and work motivation. The results suggested that engaging in routine work reduces work motivation. This relationship was mediated by individuals perceiving their contributions to be less meaningful to customers (other-oriented), as well as in terms of self-growth and work accomplishment (self-oriented). However, social and financial rewards (reward-oriented) were not involved in this relationship. These findings indicate that when managing routine work merely giving high rewards is not sufficient. People’s perceptions of both other- and self-oriented job meaningfulness also play an important role in work motivation for routine work.