Navigating the New Normal: Supporting Motivation in the Remote Workplace : From a Self determination Theory

Abstract: Work motivation has been a topic of significance for a very long time, however, since there has been a recent shift towards remote work, traditional motivational theories might need to be reconsidered and applied to the new way of working. The self-determination theory (SDT) is one of many motivational theories, which says that once the three basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are reached, individuals will experience high amounts of motivation. In order to dive deeper into the topic of motivation in remote work, the purpose of our study is therefore to explore this area of research by examining how managerial support measures could be aimed at ensuring the feeling of autonomy, competence and relatedness, and in turn manage to possibly sustain motivation among remote workers.  With the aim of reaching and fulfilling the purpose of this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with five remote workers working in start-ups or SMEs within the IT sectors, or within companies with a digital focus. The data which we collected through interviews was then thematically analysed by careful coding and put into a variety of themes. Following the presentation of our findings was a meticulous analysis of the generated data, which was the base for our final conclusions drawn on the subject.  From the findings, we were able to conclude that autonomy achieved high scores in remote work, and was without exceptions fulfilled for all of our interview subjects. Within competence, the most challenges were detected, however the right supporting measures, like facilitating information sharing, would be able to work against these issues. Lastly, relatedness is oftentimes severely lacking within remote work due to the implied distance, however due to conscious choices to work remotely, individuals will be aware of decreasing relatedness when they start their journey of working remotely. Nonetheless, supporting measures like organising social gatherings or workshops, can limit the lack of feeling relatedness in the remote workplace.  This study can assist future researchers that are conducting studies within the growing remote work environment. Furthermore, it can help managers in the workplace to gain an updated view on motivation in remote working, and shift perspective to remotely adapted supporting measures.