Employee Motivation through Higher Purpose: A double edged sword

Abstract: Title: Employee Motivation through Higher Purpose: A double edged sword Authors: Petra Erkkilä & Thekla Welp Supervisor: Sverre Spoelstra Submission Date: 20th of May 2016 Keywords: Non-profit organisation, employee motivation, higher purpose, social responsibility Purpose: To critically review the impact of organisational purpose on employee motivation and to understand employee motivation in the non-profit sector Research Question: How does higher purpose impact employee motivation in non-profit organisations? Methodology: Using an interpretative approach, we developed a qualitative study. We collected our empirical material by conducting and analysing 11 interviews with different employees in a non-profit organisation. Findings: Based on our interpretations of the empirical material, we suggest that higher purpose can be understood as both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and in reality the two are difficult to separate. We also noticed that higher purpose as a motivating factor is a double edged sword; it serves as a primary source of motivation for employees, but simultaneously can be experienced as energy consuming for both employees and the organisation. Lastly, we wish to emphasise the strong impact the recent social responsibility trend has on higher purpose to function as a motivational force. Contributions: Our research adds to the limited academic discussion on employee motivation within the non-profit sector. We also suggest practical implications, by providing insight into how organisations can enhance employee motivation through exploiting their higher purpose.