Situational Performance Constraints and Task Characteristics: Their Relationship to Motivation and Satisfaction

Abstract

Peters and O'Connor (1980) have argued that the presence of situational performance constraints reduces motivation to perform, with an accompanying decrease in satisfaction. They have also argued that the presence of these constraints limits the influence of other motivational strategies designed to improve motivation and satisfaction. This survey research provides partial support for these hypotheses. The perceived existence of high constraints was found to be significantly related to negative affective reactions. However, the existence of high constraints failed to limit the effects of task scope on these outcomes. The indirect effect of constraints appeared to be more a function of whether respondents felt personally in control of relevant outcomes rather than merely a function of the perceived existence of constraints. Finally, as Peters and O'Connor have suggested, the perceived existence of constraints masked the influence of a relevant individual difference variable in this sample: As predicted, growth need strength moderated the task scope-outcome relationship only in the absence of high situational constraints.