The Influence Of Wage On Motivation And Satisfaction

Abstract

This article seeks to contribute to the extant literature on the origin of motivation (intrinsic or extrinsic) by examining the relationship between wage, motivation, and satisfaction. That is, its aims is to discover the extent to which wages influence the motivation and satisfaction of wage earners who are considered to be more highly motivated than their colleagues. Employees who work for eight companies from diverse segments of the Brazilian economy were selected by intentional sampling. The data collection process was carried out along with them by explaining the objectives of the survey and handing out the forms that were to be completed by them. Four hundred fifty-eight useful answers were validated. The results show that the wages paid by the companies do not significantly influence the respondents’ motivation and satisfaction, with the exception for a highly limited sample. These constructs (motivation and satisfaction) were investigated in terms of the way the work is organized, the communication is processed, and the rewards system is built. The findings are opposite of those that assert the positive influence of extrinsic rewards (salary is one of them) on motivation. The article offers an original research design; that is, with a focus on highly motivated wage earners. Similar research design is strongly recommended in order to elucidate a little more on the influence of wages on motivation.