Attitudes towards money and motivational orientation to work in Brazilian young workers

Abstract

Self-determination theory assumes that there are two motivationalorientations: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Money isa means to different ends, thus considered an external source ofmotivation, but individuals may also attribute other meaningsto it. The aim of this research was to study the relationship betweenmotivational orientation and the attitude towards moneyin young employees in Brazil. The sample consisted of 163young workers attending a Business Administration programat a public university in Fortaleza, Brazil. The Work PreferenceInventory (WPI), the Love of Money Scale (LOMS) anda socio-demographic questionnaire were applied. The datawas examined using descriptive statistics, correlations, factoranalysis and cluster analysis and comparisons. The individuals’motivational orientation to work was found to be associatedwith their attitude towards money. Two profiles were identified,based on their differences between source of motivationand perception of money as a reward and as evil. Identifyingthe profiles that connect motivation with meaning of moneymay allow organizations to design and implement compensationsystems according to their employees’ needs.