Can’t get no job satisfaction? Understanding the role of workplace learning on motivations

Abstract

Purpose

Distinguishing things that are actually true and theoretically true is an activity that people don’t realize they spend very much time doing, but in fact it takes up a considerable amount of time – although for very different reasons depending on who you are. If you are a HR manager, figuring out how rumors of a downturn in market conditions might affect morale and productivity is very different in theory (it is likely to) than in practice (actually speaking to people and looking at data). As such, answers may be very different – after speaking to people and seeing the data, you might learn that people are working harder to ensure their firm has the edge in any deteriorating market.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds his/her own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Distinguishing things that are actually true and theoretically true is an activity that people don’t realize they spend very much time doing, but in fact it takes up a considerable amount of time – although for very different reasons depending on who you are. If you are a HR manager, figuring out how rumors of a downturn in market conditions might affect morale and productivity is very different in theory (it is likely to) than in practice (actually speaking to people and looking at data). As such, answers may be very different – after speaking to people and seeing the data, you might learn that people are working harder to ensure their firm has the edge in any deteriorating market.

Practical implications

This paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Citation

(2021), "Can’t get no job satisfaction? Understanding the role of workplace learning on motivations", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 31-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-04-2020-0075