The Moderating Effects of Dispositional Affectivity on Performance and Task Attitudes in a Goal-Setting Context1

When and How Job Design Influences Work Motivation: A Self-Determination Theory Approach

Based on self-determination theory and job characteristics theory, this study aims to provide a systematic and comprehensive model simultaneously investigating the relationship between job characteristics and two forms of work motivation (i.e., controlled motivation and autonomous motivation). To examine the proposed model, we recruited employees working in multiple Chinese industries and collected 435 valid questionnaires. The results indicate that job characteristics have a significantly positive effect on basic psychological needs satisfaction, which, in turn, positively affects autonomous motivation and negatively influences controlled motivation. In addition, basic psychological needs satisfaction mediates the linkage between job characteristics and positive or negative work motivation. Moreover, when an employee had high positive affectivity, job characteristics were more likely to fuel their basic psychological needs satisfaction. In contrast, job characteristics were more likely to be the depressor of these needs satisfaction when an employee possesses high negative affectivity. Our findings revealed that the degree of three needs satisfaction at work is a convincing and identifiable psychological mechanism between job characteristics and two types of work motivation. Also, work affectivity may influence the different perceptions of job characteristics, reminding managers that personality traits are a non-negligible factor in job design. Overall, this paper extends the application of the job characteristics model by revealing when and how job characteristics influence two types of work motivation and further puts forward managerial implications.

Unpacking the curvilinear relationship between negative affectivity, performance, and turnover intentions: The moderating effect of time-related work stress

This study explores the relationships of negative affectivity with two frequently studied outcome variables job performance and turnover intentions. Conventional wisdom holds that negative affectivity has a harmful impact on both job performance and intentions to leave; however, we propose a more nuanced perspective using empirical and theoretical arguments (e.g., self-regulation theory) to highlight the functional effects of negative affectivity. To test our hypotheses, we collected self-reported and supervisor-reported data from seven organizations in Pakistan. The findings based on data collected from 280 employees show that while negative affectivity is detrimental for job performance, this effect is mitigated as negative affectivity increases. It further shows that the linear negative main effect of negative affectivity on job performance is more pronounced when employees experience less time-related work stress. Finally, the curvilinear relationship between negative affectivity and turnover intentions is moderated by time-related work stress. The relationship has a U shape at high levels of time-related work stress, whereas at low levels it has an inverted U shape. A discussion of the limitations, future research, and implications for theory building and practice conclude the article.