Investigating the moderating effect of rewarding climate on Mastery Approach Orientation in the prediction of work performance

Abstract

The study of Mastery Approach Orientation as an achievement goal is central to the understanding of basic motivational processes though controversy surrounds its impact. This research extends the literature regarding this goal orientation by investigating the interaction between Mastery Approach Orientation and Rewarding Climate in the prediction of self and supervisors' ratings of work performance across two studies. Results indicated that Mastery Approach Orientation positively and consistently predicted self and supervisors' ratings of work performance at high Rewarding Climates. At low Rewarding Climates, the relationship between Mastery Approach Orientation and performance was more variable across the studies and reasons for this are explored.