Decent work, work motivation and psychological capital: An empirical research

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ferraro, Tânia^{a; *} | Moreira, João Manuel^b | dos Santos, Nuno Rebelo^c | Pais, Leonor^a | Sedmak, Clemens^d

Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal | [b] Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal | [c] Escola de Ciências Sociais, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal | [d] Centre for Ethics and Poverty Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria and Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Tânia Ferraro, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. Address: FPCE, Rua do Colégio Novo, S/N, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal. Tel.: +351 912252585; E-mail: taniaferraro@gmail.com

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The Decent Work (DW) concept, proposed by the International Labour Organization, can be enriched by the contributions of a Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology (WOPP) perspective. Namely, it would be important to relate DW perceptions to the main concepts in the WOPP realm. Understanding these relations would expand our knowledge of the nomological network of the DW concept and of its practical implications. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the relationships between DW, work motivation and psychological capital among knowledge workers in Portugal and Brazil. METHODS:The Decent Work Questionnaire (DWQ), a previously validated measure of 7 dimensions of DW from a WOPP perspective, the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale (MWMS), and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) were administered to 2912 knowledge workers. Relations among concepts were analyzed by canonical correlation analyses and linear regression. RESULTS:The DW dimension Fulfilling and Productive Work was positively associated with intrinsic and identified work motivation, and negatively with amotivation. A second significant canonical variate related (negatively) Social Protection (DW dimension) to extrinsic material work motivation. Results from regression analysis support the idea that DW promotes psychological capital. CONCLUSIONS:Results suggest that DW is an important predictor of work motivation and psychological capital. Practical implications for human resources management are presented.

Keywords: Decent Work Questionnaire, knowledge workers, canonical correlation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182732

Journal: Work, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 339-354, 2018