Motivation with Greater Job Autonomy
Some of the problems in the workplace include a lack of job meaning and a lack of job motivation. It may be challenging to try to motivate employees to increase their job performance, or to increase the perceived meaning of the work. There are many possible solutions to these problems.
One possible solution to both problems may be to allow employees to have greater job autonomy. Having greater freedom to make decisions in one's job may be important for a sense of meaning in one's work. If a person feels that his or her job is more meaningful, he or she may be more motivated.
Authenticity
Greater autonomy may foster greater meaning in our work because we can be more authentic at work. In my book, Finding Meaning (3rd ed.), I state:
Greater autonomy may allow us to be more
authentic. We may have different values than our
supervisor. Consequently, we may have different
ways of getting tasks done. Greater autonomy may
allow us to get tasks done in a manner that is more
consistent with our values (Bell, 2007, p. 57).
A Sense of Purpose
Greater autonomy may also foster greater meaning in our work because our work seems to have greater purpose. I state in Finding Meaning (3rd ed.), that "Greater autonomy may lead to a greater sense of purpose in our work. Greater autonomy may result in a greater perceived responsibility for our work, which in turn, may lead to the belief that our work is more purposeful." (Bell, 2007, p. 57).
Work-Life Balance
Greater autonomy at work may partly involve being able to determine work schedules. Being able to determine work schedules may increase work-life balance. Work-life balance can be viewed as not having conflicts between one's personal life and work. Employees who have greater work-life balance may perceive their work as more meaningful.
Jang, Park, and Zippay (2011) found that scheduling control was positively associated with job satisfaction. Because this finding is correlational, one cannot make causal conclusions. There may be other explanations for the finding. Nonetheless, it is possible that greater scheduling control may increase job satisfaction, which in turn may increase job motivation.
Conclusions
In short, leaders in organizations could strive to find ways to increase job autonomy for employees. This may increase job motivation and job meaning.
References
Bell, B. (2007). Finding Meaning (3rd ed.). Portland,
Oregon: Blue Fox Communications.
Jang, S. J., Park, R., & Zippay, A. (2011). The interaction
effects of scheduling control and work-life balance
programs on job satisfaction and mental health.
International Journal of Social Welfare, 20, 135-143.