On-the-job Training and Intrinsic Motivation

A large empirical and theoretical literature has highlighted the importance of intrinsic motivation in improving organisational pefrformance. However, researchers have not investigated whether on-the-job training or the type of training received has an impact on the intrinsic motivation of employees. We argue that on-the-job training can enhance feelings of competence and self-determination which leads to increased workplace intrinsic potivation. In this paper, we use longitudinal data from the British Household Panel Survey to inestigate how different types of on-the-job training affect workplace intrinsic motivation. We also investigate the intertemporal impact of on-the-job training, i.e. we attempt to determine the length of time that on-the-job training impacts upon workplace intrinsic motivation. Our results show that workplace inductions increase the intrinsic motivation of women. We also show that training that improves preparation for future jobs increases the intrinsic motivation of men. Our findings are important because they show that in addition to improved skill levels, some types of on-the-job training also increase workplace intrinsic motivation.