Re-visiting women’s work motivations and career needs
International evidence from the perspective of self-determination theory
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12920740 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Agnieszka Zielińska (0000-0003-4266-5177, University of Bielsko-Biała, corresponding author), María Eugenia Castro Ramírez (0000-0001-8679-9893), Enas Hosni Dahadha (Birzeit University), Ksenia Usanova (0000-0001-5286-7579, National College of Ireland) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 505-525 |
| Publication date | 2024-11-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Gender in Management An International Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1754-2413 • E-ISSN: 1754-2421 |
| Publisher | Emerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1108/gm-01-2024-0029 |
| OpenAlex | W4404189464 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 46 |
Purpose The study explores the work motivations and career needs of women, drawing on self-determination theory. The study aims to develop motivation theories and support organisations to shape the work environment addressing women’s work motivations and current career needs. Design/methodology/approach The exploratory study was conducted based on two research questions: Why do women change jobs? What are women looking for in a new workplace? To conduct this study, an online questionnaire with open-ended questions was prepared. Respondents were women who had applied for an administrative job post in Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and State of Palestine. Collected answers from 363 respondents were analysed by using Nvivo software. Findings This study presents women’s work motivations and career needs that affect the decision to change the job. Results indicate that women’s work motivations include four components: 1 − career growth (career development, skills improvement, challenges), 2 − competitive compensation (financial, personal fulfilment), 3 − work environment (organisational culture, work-life balance) and 4 − leadership (recognition, management leadership skills). Additionally, the study highlights four components of women’s current career needs: 1 − career growth (continuous professional development, challenges, training skills), 2 − competitive compensation (financial/fair pay, personal fulfilment), 3 − work environment (cooperation/teamwork, adequate tools, respect and safety) and 4 − leadership (clear organisation goals, communication/empathy, recognition, support). Originality/value Based on collected data, components of women’s work motivations and career needs were identified. The results provide contemporary and international evidence about the complex nature of women’s work motivations and career needs
Art · Perspective (graphical · Sociology · Work (physics · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Psychology · Social Psychology · Work-Family Balance Challenges
Self-Determination Theory
A Review of Self-Determination Theory’s Basic Psychological Needs at Work
Generating Research Questions Through Problematization
Integrating Theories of Motivation
Does Leader Character Have a Gender
Why do women opt for gender-atypical fields of study? The increasing role of income motivation over time
When Gender Matters in Organizational Negotiations
Discharges, Poor-Performer Quits, and Layoffs as Valued Exits
Self-Determination Theory in Work Organizations
Female directors, board-gender quotas and firm performance
Global perspectives on gender diversity and business performance
It is competence first”
Managerial stereotypes over time
Women as leaders
Adopting a gender quota policy in Qatar
Women in business leadership
The lived experiences of foreign women
Sticks and Stones
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |