The relationship between age and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in workers in a Maltese cultural context

Abstract

Workers from different age groups have been found to be motivated by different extrinsic and intrinsic factors, but findings in this area have been inconsistent. Certain cultural characteristics, including individualism, low power distance, a strong state benefits system and overall economic wealth, have been linking to high intrinsic motivation across age groups. In the light of the above, it was hypothesized that Maltese workers would report being motivated significantly more by intrinsic factors than by extrinsic factors, and age is not correlated to intrinsic motivation and negatively correlated to extrinsic motivation. A cross-sectional within groups study design in a Maltese financial services company supported both hypotheses. These results have implications for job design, training, and reward and incentive systems, especially with the changes in the demographics of the workforce caused by a higher proportion of older workers.