Skip to main content
Log in

What are the Factors that Affect Worker Motivation in Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizations?

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article assesses monetary and nonmonetary, extrinsic and intrinsic, motivation factors that drive workers in faith-based international nonprofit organizations to perform effectively. The research uses a two-phase explanatory mixed method design. The quantitative correlational research administers a web-based survey to correlate a measure of monetary and nonmonetary incentives, leadership style, and organizational culture with a measure of motivation levels. Three faith-based nonprofit international humanitarian organizations used the instrument; 538 participants completed the survey. Data reveals positive significant correlation between workers’ motivation level and nonmonetary incentives, leadership style, and organizational culture, but no significant relationship between workers’ motivation level and monetary incentives. Post-survey descriptive open-ended interviews were conducted with 30 participants to explore patterns of intrinsic, work-related, motivational factors that drive workers to excel in their performance. The findings of the qualitative data complement the quantitative analysis. A leadership–motivation model presents new understanding of the close association between leadership style and motivational outcome.

Résumé

Cet article procède à une évaluation des facteurs de motivation, monétaires et non-monétaires, extrinsèques et intrinsèques qui conduisent les collaborateurs au sein des organisations confessionnelles internationales sans but lucratif à faire preuve d’efficacité. La recherche utilise un concept de méthode explicative mixte en deux étapes. La recherche corrélationnelle quantitative développe une enquête basée sur le Web, afin de mettre en corrélation une évaluation des facteurs incitatifs monétaires et non-monétaires, le style de leadership et la culture organisationnelle avec une évaluation des niveaux de motivation. Trois organisations humanitaires confessionnelles internationales et sans but lucratif ont utilisé cet outil; 538 participants ont répondu à l’enquête. Les données mettent en évidence une corrélation significative entre le niveau de motivation des collaborateurs et les facteurs incitatifs non-monétaires, le style de leadership et la culture organisationnelle, mais aucune relation importante n’apparaît entre le niveau de motivation de ces collaborateurs et les facteurs incitatifs monétaires. Suite à l’enquête, des entretiens descriptifs avec questions ouvertes ont été conduits avec 30 participants afin d’étudier les modèles de facteurs de motivation, intrinsèques et de nature professionnelle qui conduisent les collaborateurs à exceller dans leurs prestations. Les constatations sur les données qualitatives viennent compléter l’analyse quantitative. Un modèle de motivation fondée sur le leadership apporte une compréhension nouvelle de l’association étroite entre le style de leadership et le résultat en termes de motivation.

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Beitrag prüft die monetären und nicht monetären, die äußeren und inneren Motivationsfaktoren, die Mitarbeiter in glaubensbasierten internationalen Nonprofit-Organisationen zu nachhaltigen Leistungen anregen. In der Studie wird ein explanatorisches Zwei-Phasen-Mixed-Method-Design angewandt. Die quantitative korrelationale Studie umfasst eine Online-Befragung, um das Ausmaß der monetären und nicht monetären Anreize, den Führungstil und die Organisationskultur mit dem Motivationsgrad in Beziehung zu bringen. Das Instrument wurde in drei glaubensbasierten gemeinnützigen internationalen humanitären Organisationen angewandt, und 538 Personen nahmen an der Befragung teil. Die Daten zeigen eine positiv signifikante Wechselbeziehung zwischen dem Motivationsgrad der Mitarbeiter und den nicht monetären Anreizen, dem Führungsstil und der Organisationskultur, doch keine maßgebliche Beziehung zwischen dem Motivationsgrad der Mitarbeiter und den monetären Anreizen. Im Anschluss an die Befragung wurden deskriptive offene Interviews mit 30 Teilnehmern durchgeführt, um die Schemata innerer, arbeitsbezogener Motivationsfaktoren zu erforschen, die Mitarbeiter zur Erbringung ausgezeichneter Leistungen anregen. Die Ergebnisse der qualitativen Daten ergänzen die quantitative Analyse. Ein Führungs-Motivations-Modell vermittelt ein neues Verständnis der engen Verbindung zwischen Führungsstil und Motivation.

Resumen

El presente artículo evalúa los factores motivacionales monetarios y no monetarios, extrínsecos e intrínsecos, que impulsan a los trabajadores en las organizaciones internacionales sin ánimo de lucro basadas en la fe a actuar de manera efectiva. La investigación utiliza un diseño de método mixto explicativo de dos fases. La investigación correlacional cuantitativa administra una encuesta basada en la Web para correlacionar una medición de los incentivos monetarios y no monetarios, el estilo de liderazgo, y la cultura organizativa con una medición de los niveles motivacionales. Tres organizaciones humanitarias internacionales sin ánimo de lucro basadas en la fe utilizaron el instrumento; 538 participantes completaron la encuesta. Los datos revelan una correlación significativa positiva entre el nivel motivacional de los trabajadores y los incentivos no monetarios, el estilo de liderazgo y la cultura organizativa, pero ninguna relación significativa entre el nivel motivacional de los trabajadores y los incentivos monetarios. Se realizaron entrevistas de final abierto descriptivas posteriores a la encuesta con 30 participantes para explorar patrones de factores motivacionales intrínsecos, relacionados con el trabajo, que impulsen a los trabajadores a sobresalir en su rendimiento. Los hallazgos de los datos cualitativos complementan el análisis cuantitativo. Un modelo motivacional de liderazgo presenta una nueva comprensión de la estrecha asociación entre estilo de liderazgo y resultado motivacional.

摘要

本文评估了推动基于信仰国际非营利组织员工高效工作的金融和非金融、非固有和固有动机因素。研究使用了两阶段解释混合方法设计。量化相关研究管理基于web的调查,以相关金融和非金融计划量度、领导风格和组织文化与动机级别量度。三个基于信仰的非营利国际人权组织使用了工具;538位参与者填写了调查问卷。数据显示,工人的动机级别和非金融计划、领导风格和组织文化之间存在绝对的正相关性,但是工人的动机级别和金融计划之间不存在极大相关性。研究对30位参与者进行了后期描述性开放访问,以探讨推动员工出色表现的固有、工作相关、动机因素模式。发现的量化数据补充了量化分析。领导力-动机模型代表了对领导风格和动机结果之间的紧密关联的全新了解。.

ملخص

هذه المقالة تقوم بتقييم العوامل الحافزة المالية والغير مالية، الخارجية والجوهرية، التي تحرك العمال في المنظمات الغير ربحية الدولية ذات الأساس الديني لأداء العمل بفعالية. يستخدم هذا البحث مرحلتين تفسيريتين لهما تصميم ذو أسلوب مختلط. بحث له إرتباط كمي مسؤول عن تنفيذ إستطلاع رأي على شبكة الإنترنت لربط قدرا˝ من الحوافز النقدية والغير نقدية، أسلوب القيادة، والثقافة التنظيمية مع قدر من مستويات الدوافع. إستخدمت ثلاثة منظمات إنسانية دولية غير ربحية ذات أساس ديني إنسانية الأداة؛538 مشاركا˝ أكملوا الإستطلاع. البيانات تكشف عن علاقة إيجابية هامة بين مستوى دوافع العمال والحوافز الغير نقدية، وأسلوب القيادة، والثقافة التنظيمية، لكن لا توجد علاقة ذات دلالة إحصائية بين مستوى دوافع العاملين والحوافز النقدية. تم إجراء ما بعد إستطلاع الرأي مقابلات مفتوحة وصفية مع 30 مشارك لإكتشاف أنماط العوامل الجوهرية٬ المتصلة بالعمل، التي تحفز العمال للتفوق في أدائهم. نتائج البيانات النوعية تكمل التحليل الكمي. نموذج دافع القيادة يمثل فهم جديد لرابطة وثيقة بين أسلوب القيادة والنتائج التحفيزية.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Australian Government Initiative. (2012). Strength, innovation and growth: The future of Australia’s not-for-profit sector. Barton: Office for the Not-for-Profit Sector, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benz, M. (2005). Not for the profit, but for the satisfaction?—Evidence on worker well-being in non-profit firms. Kyklos, 58(2), 155–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, K. (2008). Situational leadership. Leadership Excellence, 25(5), 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bock, G., Zmud, R., Kim, Y., & Lee, J. (2005). Behavioral intention formation in knowledge sharing: Examining the roles of extrinsic motivators, social–psychological forces, and organizational climate. MIS Quarterly, 29(1), 87–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandl, J., & Güttel, W. (2007). Organizational antecedents of pay-for-performance systems in nonprofit organizations. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 18(2), 176–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, W., & Yoshioka, C. (2003). Mission attachment and satisfaction as factors in employee retention. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 14(1), 5–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cadge, W., & Wuthnow, R. (2006). Religion and the nonprofit sector. In W. Powell & R. Steinberg (Eds.), The nonprofit sector: A research handbook (2nd ed., pp. 485–505). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charity Commission. (2012). The regulator for charities in England and Wales. Retrieved from http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/ShowCharity/RegisterOfCharities/SectorData/HistoricalData.aspx.

  • Cheverton, J. (2007). Holding our own: Value and performance in nonprofit organisations. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 42(3), 427–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, R., & Ebrahim, A. (2006). How does accountability affect mission? The case of a nonprofit serving immigrants and refugees. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 17(2), 195–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, G. (2006). Faith matters: Faith-based organisations, civil society and international development. Journal of International Development, 18(6), 835–848.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, G. (2007). Agents of transformation? Donors, faith-based organisations and international development. Third World Quarterly, 28(1), 77–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, D., & Schindler, P. (2008). Business research methods (10th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. (2005). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J., Schoorman, F., & Donaldson, L. (1997). Toward a stewardship theory of management. Academy of Management Review, 22(1), 20–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. (1971). Effects of externally mediated rewards on intrinsic motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 18(1), 105–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. (1972). Intrinsic motivation, extrinsic reinforcement, and inequity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 22(1), 113–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L. (1975). Intrinsic motivation. New York: Plenum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Devaro, J., & Brookshire, D. (2007). Promotions and incentives in nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 60(3), 311–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dolnicar, S., Irvine, H., & Lazarevski, K. (2008). Mission or money? Competitive challenges facing public sector nonprofit organisations in an institutionalised environment. International Journal of Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Marketing, 13(2), 107–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duffy, R. (2006). Spirituality, religion, and career development: Current status and future directions. Career Development Quarterly, 55(1), 52–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emanuele, R., & Higgins, S. (2000). Corporate culture in the nonprofit sector: A comparison of fringe benefits with the for-profit sector. Journal of Business Ethics, 24(1), 87–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gagné, M., & Deci, E. (2005). Self-determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4), 331–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garson, G. D. (2009). Reliability analysis. Statnotes from North Carolina State University, Public Administration Program. Retrieved on 5 Nov 2009, from http://faculty.chass.ncsu.edu/garson/PA765/reliab.htm.

  • Guay, F., Vallerand, R., & Blanchard, C. (2000). On the assessment of situational intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: The situational motivation scale (SIMS). Motivation & Emotion, 24(3), 175–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1980). Work redesign. Boston: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halepota, H. (2005). Motivational theories and their application in construction. Cost Engineering, 47(3), 14–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hersey, P., & Blanchard, K. (2003). Situational leadership. In Business leadership: A Jossey-Bass reader (pp. 111–116). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc.

  • Herzberg, F. (1966). Work and the nature of man. London: Staples Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzberg, F. (1974). Motivation–hygiene profiles: Pinpointing what ails the organization. Organizational Dynamics, 3(2), 18–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herzberg, F. (2003). One more time: How do you motivate employees? Harvard Business Review, 81(1), 86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzberg, F., Mausner, B., & Snyderman, B. (2007). Motivation to work. London: Bloomsbury Business Library—Management Library.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaskyte, K. (2004). Transformational leadership, organizational culture, and innovativeness in nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 15(2), 153–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaskyte, K., & Dressier, W. (2005). Organizational culture and innovation in nonprofit human service organizations. Administration in Social Work, 29(2), 23–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jobome, G. (2006). Management pay, governance and performance: The case of large U.K. nonprofits. Financial Accountability & Management, 22(4), 331–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J. A. (2007). Getting and staying involved: What motivates volunteers in a non-profit organization. Ph.D. dissertation, Capella University, MN.

  • Kottasz, R. (2004). How should charitable organisations motivate young professionals to give philanthropically? International Journal of Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Marketing, 9(1), 9–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kovach, K. (1995). Employee motivation: Addressing a crucial factor in your organization’s performance. Employment Relations Today (Wiley), 22(2), 93–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Land, D. L. (2003). Identifying strategic leadership practice motivators of nonprofit employee retention. D.M. dissertation, University of Phoenix, AZ.

  • Landes, L. (2006). Getting the best out of people in the workplace. Journal for Quality & Participation, 29(4), 27–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leete, L. (2006). Work in the nonprofit sector. In W. Powell & R. Steinberg (Eds.), The nonprofit sector: A research handbook (2nd ed., pp. 159–179). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liccione, W. (2007). A framework for compensation plans with incentive value. Performance Improvement, 46(2), 16–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macy, G. (2006). Outcomes of values and participation in ‘values-expressive’ nonprofit agencies. Journal of Behavioral & Applied Management, 7(2), 165–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manz, C. (1986). Self-leadership: Toward an expanded theory of self-influence processes in organizations. Academy of Management Review, 11(3), 585–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mary, N. (2005). Transformational leadership in human service organizations. Administration in Social Work, 29(2), 105–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masi, R., & Cooke, R. (2000). Effects of transformational leadership on subordinate motivation, empowering norms, and organizational productivity. International Journal of Organizational Analysis (1993–2002), 8(1), 16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maslow, A. (1948). Higher and lower needs, understanding human motivation (pp. 48–51). Cleveland, OH: Howard Allen Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslow, A. (1968). Toward a psychology of being (3rd ed.). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, D. (1960). The human side of enterprise. Boston: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mize Smith, J., Arendt, C., Bezek Lahman, J., Settle, G., & Duff, A. (2006). Framing the work of art: Spirituality and career discourse in the nonprofit arts sector. Communication Studies, 57(1), 25–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mowles, C. (2007). Policy arena: Promises of transformation: Just how different are international development NGOs? Journal of International Development, 19(3), 401–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Netting, F., O’Connor, M., & Yancey, G. (2006). Belief systems in faith-based human service programs. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work, 25(3–4), 261–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neuman, W. L. (2006). Social research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches (6th ed.). New York: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, W., Cameron, J., Banko, K., & So, S. (2003). Positive effects of rewards and performance standards on intrinsic motivation. Psychological Record, 53(4), 561–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rai, S. (2004). Motivational theories and incentives approaches. IIMB Management Review, 16(4), 43–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramlall, S. (2004). A review of employee motivation theories and their implications for employee retention within organizations. Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge, 5(1/2), 52–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roeger, K., Blackwood, A., & Pettijohn, S. (2012). The nonprofit almanac 2012. Washington, DC: Urban Institute Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R., & Deci, E. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salamon, L., Sokolowski, S. W., & Geller, S. (2012). Holding the fort: Nonprofit employment during a decade of turmoil. Nonprofit Employment Bulletin No. 39. Center for Civil Society Studies, John Hopkins University.

  • Schepers, C., De Gieter, S., Pepermans, R., Du Bois, C., Caers, R., & Jegers, M. (2005). How are employees of the nonprofit sector motivated? A research need. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 16(2), 191–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmid, H. (2006). Leadership styles and leadership change in human and community service organizations. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 17(2), 179–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sorauren, I. (2000). Non-monetary incentives: Do people work only for money? Business Ethics Quarterly, 10(4), 925–944.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steers, R., Mowday, R., & Shapiro, D. (2004). The future of work motivation theory. Academy of Management Review, 29(3), 379–387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, R. (2006). Economic theories of nonprofit organizations. In W. Powell & R. Steinberg (Eds.), The nonprofit sector: A research handbook (2nd ed., pp. 117–139). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickler, J. (2006). What really motivates people? Journal for Quality & Participation, 29(1), 26–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tepp, M., & Poomann, M. (2006). Impact of pay-for-performance on work motivation of sales personnel: A case of information media firms. Working Papers in Economics, 19(141–144), 77–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theuvsen, L. (2004). Doing better while doing good: Motivational aspects of pay-for-performance effectiveness in nonprofit organizations. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 15(2), 117–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiedke, C. (2004). What motivates staff? Family Practice Management, 11(10), 54–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valentinov, V. (2007). The property rights approach to nonprofit organization: The role of intrinsic motivation. Public Organization Review, 7(1), 41–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valentinov, V. (2008). The economics of nonprofit organization: In search of an integrative theory. Journal of Economic Issues, 42(3), 745–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vroom, V. (1964). Work and motivation. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, L. (2003). Why capacity building matters and why nonprofits ignore it. New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, 2003(40), 103–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, C. (2008). The economic value of nonprofit organizations. Futurist, 42(1), 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, J., & Yarbrough, T. (2005). Religious individuals: Evaluating their intrinsic and extrinsic motivations at the implicit level of awareness. Journal of Social Psychology, 145(1), 5–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wuthnow, R. (2004). Saving America: Faith-based services and the future of civil society. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wuthnow, R., & Offutt, S. (2008). Transnational religious connections. Sociology of Religion, 69(2), 209–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Bassous.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 3.

Table 3 Qualitative interviews tree nodes

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bassous, M. What are the Factors that Affect Worker Motivation in Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizations?. Voluntas 26, 355–381 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-013-9420-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-013-9420-3

Keywords

Navigation