Motivation and the academic – where the drivers sit

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key drivers for motivation within a small team of academics within a relatively small UK university.

Design/methodology/approach

The research follows a combined interpretivist and ethnographic stance and using a mixed methods approach.

Findings

The research identifies that fundamentally academics are driven by the desire for expertise and a search for meaning, while material reward and a need for power play a low significance in their forces. Also increase in managerialism has led to reductions in motivation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a limited focus due to the nature of being a small scale study.

Practical implications

The paper considers the drivers which motivate academics. Managers and HR departments may consider approaches to managing and leading individuals to achieve improved organisational performance.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on motivational drivers within the academy.

Citation

Johnston, A. (2016), "Motivation and the academic – where the drivers sit", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 35 No. 6, pp. 765-777. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-09-2015-0140