Including transcendental needs in a unified model of motivation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to existing models of human motivation by measuring transcendental needs along with the more commonly studied basic and social needs in order to take into account the multitude of needs experienced in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey combining the Big Five Inventory (John and Srivastava, 1999) with the authors’ 30-item need-level questionnaire was administered to 366 participants (162 males, 204 females). The authors examined the relation between need levels, particularly transcendental needs, and personality to detect the predictors of the different personality traits.

Findings

The results showed that extraversion (r=0.24; p<0.001) and agreeableness (r=0.19; p<0.001) are predicted by high social needs, whereas openness to experience is predicted by high transcendental needs (r=0.35; p<0.001). While the authors made no hypotheses about conscientiousness and neuroticism, they found that neuroticism was significantly correlated with transcendental needs (r=−0.15; p<0.01).

Research limitations/implications

The relations between needs and other individual dimensions, such as values or interests, could be further examined. The nature of the sample could be extended in additional studies.

Practical implications

Since need levels were able to predict personality traits, measuring need levels instead of personality could be a better predictor of both adaptability and performance in specific contexts.

Social implications

In a position that requires a specific vocation and sense of purpose (priest, counselor, etc.), transcendental needs could be a better predictor of job achievement than personality traits. Monitoring all levels of needs could also be valuable in helping managers develop a deeper understanding of their team members’ expectations for meaning and purpose.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the model on human motivation by adding one more level (transcendental) and by testing the hypothesis of a link between a need scale and personality traits.

Citation

Davila, A. and Crawford, M. (2018), "Including transcendental needs in a unified model of motivation", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 37 No. 5, pp. 385-396. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-06-2017-0205