Self-determination Theory Research Articles

Thriving minds, thriving workplaces: unleashing creativity through psychological wellbeing and psychological capital

PurposeThis study examines the complicated relationship between psychological wellbeing, joy at work, creative ability and the mediating influence of psychological capital, drawing insights from self-determination theory within the context of the banking sector.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized random sampling to gather comprehensive data from 465 banking employees. Following data collection, structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypotheses formulated based on the collected data.FindingsFindings underscore a significant association between psychological wellbeing and both joy at work and creative ability within the banking sector. Moreover, the study elucidates that psychological capital acts as a crucial mediator, illuminating the pathway through which psychological wellbeing influences joy at work and subsequently enhances creative ability.Practical implicationsThis research offers valuable insights for organizational leaders and policymakers, emphasizing the imperative of prioritizing psychological wellbeing initiatives and nurturing positive work environments to enhance employee satisfaction, productivity and innovative contributions within the banking sector.Originality/valueThe application of self-determination theory as a theoretical framework provides a robust foundation for understanding the dynamics between psychological factors and workplace outcomes. The banking industry, often characterized by high stress levels and demanding work environments, stands to benefit substantially from interventions aimed at fostering psychological wellbeing. By cultivating positive mental health and capitalizing on joy at work, organizations can stimulate employee creativity ability, thereby fostering innovation and adaptive problem-solving capabilities crucial in the contemporary banking landscape.

Physiotherapy in acute geriatrics wards: What (de)motivates patients? A qualitative study based on self-determination theory

BackgroundWhile the benefits of physiotherapy for hospitalized older patients (HOPs) are well established, these patients are often considered demotivated by healthcare team members (HTMs), which is perceived as a hindrance to their rehabilitation. The quantitative data currently available on the lack of involvement of HOPs are mainly measures of mobility. Motivation as such has, to our knowledge, never been measured. Therefore, this study aims to quantify for the first time the motivation levels of HOPs in their participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) and physiotherapy, and to explore the motivating factors behind their participation in physiotherapy.MethodsThe motivation of 60 older patients hospitalized in an acute geriatrics ward was quantified using the Scale of Demotivation Assessment (SDA). Out of these participants, 14 were interrogated through individual semi-structured face-to-face interviews. After transcription, data were analyzed according to Self-Determination Theory, which has been proven effective in the understanding of motivational mechanisms.ResultsThe prevalence of demotivation was 47% (95% CI: [0.34;0.6]) for ADLs and 35% (95% CI: [0.23;0.48]) for physiotherapy. The main demotivating factors were the feeling of external control (lack of autonomy) and dependance experienced by HOPs, as well as the limited availability of staff during hospitalization. Conversely, feelings of competence, security, respect for limits, and commitment from the HTMs were important motivating factors.ConclusionA large number of relational factors have an impact on the motivation of HOPs regarding their participation in ADLs and in physiotherapy sessions. Appropriate time and space organizing and the provision of suitable equipment, combined with a genuine caring and respectful attitude from the HTMs, could considerably encourage the expression of intrinsic motivation and thus the involvement of HOPs in their own care program.

Influence of employee job crafting in Chinese manufacturing enterprises on safety innovation performance: a moderated mediation model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of employees’ job crafting on safety innovation performance through psychological empowerment and the moderation effects of employees’ mindfulness traits and job complexity on such impact. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted structure equation modeling to analyze data collected from 1,566 employees in 96 manufacturing enterprises in northern and central China. Findings Results showed that employees’ job crafting has a positive effect on safety innovation performance, partially through psychological empowerment, and that effect was moderated by employee mindfulness traits and job complexity. Practical implications Manufacturing enterprises should seek to promote employees’ job crafting behavior in the workplace, improve employees’ psychological empowerment and pay attention to mindfulness training for enterprise managers and employees, so as to reduce the probability of unsafe behavior. Originality/value This study reveals the underlying influence mechanism of employees’ job crafting on safety innovation performance using the self-determination theory and suggests that psychological empowerment is critical in determining how employees’ job crafting influences safety innovation performance. Furthermore, both employees’ mindfulness traits and job complexity positively moderate the above mediation.

Exploring Parent Perspectives on Autonomy Supportive Environments: A Qualitative Recreational Therapy Approach

The purpose of this study was to explore the ways par-ents provide autonomy supportive environments to their child with type 1 diabetes. Self-determination theory (SDT) is focused on interplay between extrinsic forces acting on persons and the intrinsic motive and needs of human beings. This study adopted SDT as its theoreti-cal framework, with emphasis on autonomy supportive environments. Interview questions were formulated and prepared according to components within the SDT. Between January 2023 and March 2023, seven parents consented and participated in interviews via Zoom. In-terviews followed a pre-constructed interview protocol which included 10 questions centered on the fostering of competence, relatedness, autonomy, choice provision, ra-tional provision, perspective taking, and advocacy. While it is known that parenting children with type 1 diabetes poses many challenges, our findings support giving a child autonomy to lead to more effective diabetes management. Also, findings indi-cated the importance of involvement in social groups, such as parent groups and medi-cal specialty camps. Recreational therapist (RT) professionals can measure outcomes as well as additional insight into parent perspective through camp involvement. This further supports RT using the self-determination theory within the practice of diabetes camps to improve health. Authors provide suggestions for future studies and practice implications for parental camp involvement.

Players’ continuous willingness to play in MOBA game ranking mode: through the lens of self-determination theory and social comparison theory

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games are a popular genre in the current gaming field, and the highly competitive ranking mode is one of the core parts of the gameplay, and the study of the factors affecting players’ continuous willingness to play is a necessary issue to ensure the sustainable profitability of these games. This study has developed a conceptual model delineating the continuous willingness of players within the MOBA game ranking mode, employing the frameworks of self-determination theory (SDT) and social comparison theory (SCT). In this study, 396 valid data samples were collected using questionnaire method. The results show that, social comparison enhances players’ continuous willingness and avatar identification, and indirectly enhances their continuous willingness through mediation by avatar identification, while game frustration has a significant positive moderating effect in both paths. This study contributes to both theoretical explorations and practical approaches to MOBA game ranking mode.

The Construct of Emotional Support in Quranic Memorization Students: A Study on the Dynamic Influence of Reliable Relationships, Trusted Guidance, Psychological Well-being, and Quranic Memorization Achievement

Using a mixed-method approach, This study examines emotional support for Quranic memorization students (santri tahfidz) in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). Quantitative analysis of 515 santri tahfidz revealed high levels of emotional support (M = 3.74, SD = 0.68) with two primary dimensions: reliable relationships (74.96%) and trusted guidance (75.17%). Multiple regression analysis uncovered a significant relationship between emotional support and Quranic memorization achievement (β = 0.42, p < .001, R² = 0.18). A meta-analysis of 28 studies (N = 3,627) confirmed a positive correlation between emotional support and students' psychological well-being (r = 0.39, 95% CI [0.34, 0.44]). MANOVA results indicated significant differences in santri tahfidz's perceptions of emotional support based on gender (Wilks' λ = .97, F(2, 512) = 7.85, p < .001, partial η² = .03) and age (Wilks' λ = .95, F(4, 1022) = 6.73, p < .001, partial η² = .03). These findings extend previous research by Hasfi (2018) and Vista (2018) by identifying the specific roles of teacher support (β = 0.31, p < .01) and peer support (β = 0.28, p < .01) in enhancing student resilience. Furthermore, this study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of emotional support dynamics in pesantren tahfidz education, integrating Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecological perspective and Deci and Ryan's (2000) self-determination theory. Finally in a practical context, the researcher evaluates this study has implications for the development of more structured and efficient emotional support intervention programs in tahfidz pesantren.

Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative study

BackgroundWhile multidisciplinary teams with clinical pharmacists improve medication use and outcomes, their integration in South Africa faces limitations. A lack of dedicated positions and healthcare professionals’ misunderstanding restrict ward activities and hinder full collaboration, limiting their potential to optimize patient care. This study addresses a gap by exploring how perceived healthcare professionals’ understanding of clinical pharmacists’ roles impacts their motivation and service implementation. Understanding these dynamics, particularly in resource-constrained settings, is crucial for optimizing integration and healthcare delivery.MethodsAdopting a constructivist approach, this qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions. Through purposive sampling clinical pharmacists were recruited across South Africa’s public healthcare sector. A semi-structured guide based on previous findings explored how the perceived understanding around clinical pharmacy impacts service delivery and work motivation. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the Self-Determination Theory framework. Thematic analysis employed an inductive approach, following an initial preliminary analysis of open and selective coding to develop a coding framework.ResultsClinical pharmacists (n = 16) reported various challenges impacting service implementation and motivation. Two main themes were identified: (1) Time: Dedicated ward time is crucial for both the proper implementation of clinical services, as well as the clinical pharmacists’ motivation; and (2) Trust: Clinical pharmacists experience a lack of trust amongst healthcare professionals in the value of clinical pharmacy services. The themes illustrated mechanisms at work at three levels: systemic (lack of dedicated positions), inter-relational (healthcare professional’s misconceptions), and personal (thwarted autonomy).ConclusionsSystemic challenges, like the absence of official positions present the biggest obstacle, affecting support, scope of practice, and healthcare professional interactions. While systemic changes are crucial for full integration of clinical pharmacists, in resource-constrained settings fostering autonomous motivation is equally important. This study emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach, including policy changes, international collaboration, interprofessional education, and interventions to empower clinical pharmacists for proactive service delivery. By addressing these interconnected challenges, healthcare systems can leverage the full potential of clinical pharmacists, ultimately improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Enhancing tourism and hospitality organizations’ ESG via transformational leadership and employee pro-environmental behavior: The effect of organizational culture

Existing literature on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) primarily focuses on outcomes, neglecting strategies to enhance its predictors. Drawing upon the competing values framework (CVF) and self-determination theory (SDT), this study investigates the interactive impact of transformational leadership (TFL) and two types of external-focused organizational cultures (OCs) on employee pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) and subsequently ESG performance in the context of tourism and hospitality industry. By employing a time-lagged field investigation involving 57 Chinese hospitality organizations, this multilevel study draws several findings. First, TFL promotes PEBs among hospitality employees, which in turn contributes to enhanced ESG performance. Second, the adoption of an adhocracy culture in hospitality organizations can further enhance the positive impact of TFL on employee PEBs. Finally, this study also reveals the serial mediating roles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, that is, psychological empowerment (PE) and perceived insider status (PIS), in the relationship between TFL and employee PEBs.

Promoting motivation and reducing stress in medical students by utilizing self-determination theory - a randomized controlled trial in practical psychiatry courses.

Medical students experience high levels of stress and related mental health problems. Students' autonomous and controlled motivation and their mental well-being are interconnected. This study aimed to investigate whether an innovative teaching concept based on self-determination theory (SDT) could improve students' motivation and thereby reduce their stress levels, ultimately providing a healthier framework for learning. In a week-long practical psychiatry course for medical students, a new didactic concept was implemented in half the groups (n = 73) and compared with the preexisting concept (n = 75) as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). To promote the SDT-target factors of perceived autonomy, competence, and relatedness, the methods used included team building, exclusively positive feedback, group discussions, and choice in task distribution. Significant group differences in motivation, stress, performance, and their relationships were analyzed through t-tests, multiple linear regression analyses, mediation analyses, and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) using questionnaires collected before (t0) and after (t1) the course, and students' exam results (t2). In the innovation group (n = 53), intrinsic motivation/interest (d = 0.41; p = .019) and perceived choice/autonomy (d = 0.33; p = .048) were greater than in the control group (n = 52). While autonomous regulation remained stable, the innovation group showed reduced controlled regulation (d = -0.36; p = .033) and reported significantly lower stress (d = -0.55; p = .003). The observed changes in motivation collectively mediated the stress reduction. However, students in the innovation group achieved lower exam scores, which seemed to result from the absence of critical feedback, but not from the observed differences in motivation or stress. This study demonstrated that enhancing intrinsic motivation through SDT-based teaching can effectively reduce stress in medical students. Exclusively strengths-based positive feedback may have hindered exam performance, but optimizing educational concepts to promote motivation and reduce stress will be a valuable step toward improving medical students' mental well-being.

Examining the Role of Self-Determination Theory in AI-Enhanced Personalized Blended Learning Environments for Primary School Chinese EFL Learners

It is pertinent to mention here that EFL education in Chinese primary schools has emerged as an important focus of the last few decades due to rising globalization and development of economosaic(Cosmopolitic)eti fluence of China (Wang & Kirkpatrick, 2022; Li et al. , 2023). Today, Ministry of Education, China has laid policies to begin English learning from the third grade; this is an indication that learning should begin early in a childhood so as to learn the language and have the ability to communicate through it (Zhang & Liu 2024). However, many concerns still exist in EFL educational environment such as great class size, less opportunity to interact with real contexts, and curriculum stress on examinations (Chen et al. , 2023; Wu & Johnson, 2024). The literature review of the present study has also stressed on the fact that new strategies are being called for to tackle these issues. For example, Yang et al., (2023) stated that conventional paradigm C loses the interest of young readers and Zhao and Smith (2024) noted that more entertaining and user-centred learning approaches have to be established. In addition, Liu and Wang (2023) pointed out that the present EFL curriculum implemented in Chinese primary schools does not incorporate the sociocultural context and fails to provide authentic language practice to the learners which is essential for second language acquisition.

Capturing autonomy, competence, and relatedness at work: further examining and validating an English language version of the work-related basic need satisfaction scale.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) maintains that the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness is associated with optimal individual functioning, including in the workplace. A self-report instrument, the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction scale (W-BNS), has previously been developed and validated in Dutch and Italian. We aimed to validate an English version of the W-BNS. We also evaluated a bifactor model to assess the extent to which the item responses could be explained by a single, underlying general latent trait. A Rasch calibration was also carried out to assess the extent to which the scores conformed to the assumptions of 'fundamental measurement' and could be converted to a common metric. We used data from 141 staff employed by a large UK-based mental health service provider. The postulated three-factor structure provided a good fit to the data. However, a bifactor model, introducing an underlying general factor, provided a superior fit. The items generally conformed to the Rasch measurement model. Evidence of convergent/divergent validity was observed via the correlations between the W-BNS scores and those for the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNFS). Regarding construct validity, both the separate needs and total W-BNS scores statistically significantly predicted an individual's reported intention to leave the current employer. Our findings foster research with the WBNS and have implications for how the W-BNS is optimally implemented in practice as a useful brief tool for assessing staff work-related need satisfaction.

The White privilege of self-determination in entrepreneurship: how educational supports pipeline White students into business ownership

Worker cooperative entrepreneur spaces are predominantly White despite these companies building the foundation of their business model on equity and sustainability. While some studies have investigated racism in entrepreneurship development, no in-depth study has investigated White privilege in this space. Therefore, this study used a qualitative critical narrative analysis approach to explore White privilege in the entrepreneurship journeys of six White individuals who formed a worker cooperative business. Findings suggest that formal and informal educational experiences fostered four themes of White privilege in entrepreneurship: belongingness and competence in privileged entrepreneurship identity, resource-rich support systems, anti-meritocracy perceptions of competence, and privileged psychology of wealth. Findings suggest that educational spaces foster basic psychological needs of intrinsic motivation required for entrepreneurship, however, racialized gatekept access to these spaces perpetuates racial disproportionality in entrepreneurship. This article concludes with situating findings within self-determination theory and discussions of study limitations, implications, and future directions.

Analyzing the impact of work meaningfulness on turnover intentions and job satisfaction: A self-determination theory perspective

Abstract While employees actively seek out workplaces that offer meaningful work experiences, the concept of meaningful work remains notably underexplored within the turnover literature. The present study addresses this gap by examining the role of work meaningfulness among knowledge workers and its direct and indirect effects on turnover intentions and job satisfaction through the lens of self-determination theory. Our findings show significant effects on turnover intentions and job satisfaction, with work meaningfulness emerging as a stronger predictor of job satisfaction, while still contributing to reducing turnover intentions. Most extant literature focuses on sources and ways to enhance work meaningfulness. We contribute to more recent research on its relationship with its outcomes especially the link with turnover intentions, offering insight into a relationship that has produced few, but conflicting,results.

Factors influencing physical activity behavior in older adults with subjective cognitive decline: an empirical study using SEM and fsQCA methods.

Despite the evident potential benefits of engaging in physical activity (PA) for older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), their PA levels remains low. Previous research has predominantly focused on PA behaviors in individuals with dementia/mild cognitive impairment, with limited attention given to those with SCD. Therefore, this study aims to identify key factors influencing PA behavior in older adults with SCD based on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the capability-opportunity-motivation (COM-B) model. Three hundred and three individuals aged 60 and above with SCD participated in this study. A face-to-face structured questionnaire survey was conducted. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). SEM results indicate that PA social support primarily influences PA behavior through three indirect pathways: the separate mediating effect of basic psychological needs, the separate mediating effect of motivation, and the chained mediating effect of both. Physical literacy, on the other hand, influences PA behavior through the separate mediating effect of motivation. Necessary conditions analysis by fsQCA reveals that no single factor is necessary for promoting PA behavior in older adults with SCD, while sufficiency analysis identifies four different combinations of factors leading to PA behavior. The model derived from the framework of SDT and the COM-B model effectively explains and predicts the interrelationships among variables. Physical activity behavior in older individuals with SCD is the result of multifactorial synergies.

Understanding Expressions of Self-Determination Theory in the Evaluation of IDEA-Themed VR Storytelling

This study investigates how prior experiences (personal or a close other’s) influence individuals’ engagement with virtual reality (VR) stories designed to promote understanding and foster prosocial behavior. Integrating self-determination theory and self–other overlap, we conducted an experimental mixed-method study with 35 participants who experienced three VR stories focused on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA): living with Alzheimer’s, blindness, and in a refugee camp. Findings indicate that while participants felt some autonomy with the VR headset, they experienced a lack of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the storytelling. Participants engaged in perspective-taking but often thought about those close to them who had similar experiences rather than themselves. Thus, a close other’s experience affected whether people engaged in perspective-taking. However, prior experience with IDEA topics did not predict cognitive effort, indicating that individuals with such experience do not exert more cognitive effort than those without it. Additionally, cognitive effort did not predict prosocial attitudes or behaviors. This study highlights the complexities of how previous experiences affect engagement with IDEA-centered VR, perspective-taking, and cognitive effort and suggests directions for future research.

Students’ perceptions of an artificially intelligent chatbot as a support tool to develop their research skills

PurposeThis research aims to evaluate students’ perception of using a chatbot to develop their understanding of the various parts of a research article, and their ability to apply what they have learned to write a new research plan.Design/methodology/approachThis research is qualitative in approach. The sample contained 10 students on a research skills course as part of the master of educational technologies program. The research instruments consisted of (1) semi-structured interviews to gather the students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of using a chatbot, and (2) observation notes to triangulate the interview results, relating to the students’ application of what they had learned from the teacher and ChatGPT, in new contexts.FindingsThis study found that the use of ChatGPT contributed to developing students’ knowledge of writing a research plan. The students were satisfied with their personalized learning experience, and believed that ChatGPT had improved their autonomy, competence and relatedness. These three variables had played a role in developing their application skill. However, there were concerns about using ChatGPT in learning, like limiting the students’ creativity, human interaction and critical thinking skills. There were also concerns over accuracy, ethics and plagiarism.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in its examination of how ChatGPT can help satisfy students' need for autonomy (having more knowledge to communicate with the app and control their choices), competence (feeling more capable of using artificial intelligence [AI] and possessing the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed) and relatedness (being less disappointed when failing to obtain satisfactory responses from the AI application), while improving their skills in application. According to self-determination theory (SDT), these factors affect students’ skills in applying what they have learned to new tasks. Therefore, this study extends the examination of SDT and its effect to include application skill, using qualitative methods to study the relationships between variables in depth.

Coming of age in a warming world: A self‐determination theory perspective

AbstractToday's youth are growing up in a world threatened by climate change. Facing an uncertain future, young people—and especially adolescents—tend to be concerned about climate change, even more so than other age groups. How can socializing agents (e.g., educators, policymakers, clinicians) support and engage adolescents as they come of age in a warming world? In this article, we review studies on climate change and youth development from the perspective of self‐determination theory (SDT). SDT provides a framework for understanding a nascent body of literature on adolescents' responses to climate change. In particular, SDT offers insights into the factors that can facilitate or undermine adolescents' internalization of climate science, engagement in pro‐environmental behavior, and capacity for resilience and well‐being. We discuss SDT's potential to inform efforts to encourage positive youth development amid climate change, and we identify priorities for investigation.

Analysing the Relation between Passion, Motivation, and Subjective Well-Being in Sport: A Systematic Review.

Both the Dualistic Model of Passion and Self-Determination Theory suggest that the persistence of a behaviour over time derives from the internalisation of the passion or motivation that the individual feels about the activity. However, the integration of these theoretical assumptions may lead to a better understanding of related outcomes, in particular on subjective well-being (SWB). In this context, this study aimed at systematically reviewing the relation between passion, behaviour regulation (i.e., self-determined motivation), and SWB in sport. The PRISMA 2020 protocol was used to guide the systematic review. Electronic searches were conducted in the Web of Science database and Pubmed. The following descriptors were used: SWB; passion; motivation; behavioural regulation; and sport. After the search, 12 studies were retrieved for analysis that show us the following results tendencies: harmonious passion (HP) and autonomous motivation (AM) (i.e., more self-determined forms of behaviour regulation) are positively related to SWB (i.e., life satisfaction and positive affect), while obsessive passion (OP) and controlled motivation (CM) (i.e., less self-determined forms of behaviour regulation) are negatively associated with SWB. However, no studies were found to simultaneously analyse the three theoretical constructs. These results show us the importance of developing conditions in sport contexts that promote positive feelings that take into account athletes' development of harmonious passion and self-determined behaviour regulation, in order to achieve higher levels of well-being. Nevertheless, these results also lead us to the necessity for more studies to highlight the theoretical link between passion and motivation in the context of sport, especially regarding the mediating role of motivation in the relationship between passion and well-being.

THE IMPACT OF ADMINISTRATIVE EMPOWERMENT OF EMPLOYEES IN ENHANCING THE ADOPTION OF HUMAN RESOURCES GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES ACCORDING TO ISO 30804 STANDARD - A FIELD STUDY OF THE ALGERIAN ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION COMPANY, M'SILA UNIT

Objective: This study evaluates administrative empowerment application among employees at M'Sila Unit, assesses adherence to human resources governance principles, and analyzes the relationship between empowerment and governance. It aims to determine if empowerment positively influences human resource governance. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework outlines the concepts of administrative empowerment and human resources governance. It discusses the role of organizational structure, self-determination theory, and stakeholder theory in empowering employees. It also discusses the importance of balancing stakeholder interests and addressing agency problems. The framework suggests citing relevant literature, visual representation, and real-world examples to support the research and understanding of the relationship between administrative empowerment and HR governance. Method: The research design, participants, questionnaire development, data collection procedure, statistical tools, reliability and validity, and limitations of the method are all essential aspects of a research study. The study's objectives, target population, sample size, sampling technique, questionnaire structure, data collection procedure, ethical considerations, and statistical tools used are also discussed. The method section should include examples, flowcharts, diagrams, and pilot studies for clarity. Results and Discussion: The study focuses on administrative empowerment and HR governance principles in the Algerian Electricity Production Company. Descriptive statistics are presented, along with correlation and regression analyses. Key findings highlight the positive impact of administrative empowerment on HR governance principles. The study's findings are compared with existing literature, theoretically and practically, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. Limitations include sample size and generalizability issues. Future research should address these limitations. Research Implications: The research on administrative empowerment and human resources governance at the Algerian Electricity Production Company - M'Sila Unit has significant theoretical and practical implications. It contributes to existing literature, validates existing theories, and proposes new theories. Practical implications include organizational strategies, policy development, and training programs. The research also impacts human resources practices, employee engagement, performance management, and the broader energy sector. Future research directions include exploring gaps and promoting longitudinal studies. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing the relationship between empowerment and HR governance for organizational effectiveness. Originality/Value: The Originality/Value section of a research paper highlights the unique contributions and significance of a study on administrative empowerment and human resources governance at the Algerian Electricity Production Company - M'Sila Unit. It identifies gaps in existing literature, provides context-specific insights, and uses an innovative methodology. The research also offers practical recommendations and policy implications, enhancing employee engagement and organizational performance. It also provides a foundation for future studies in management and human resources.

“It’s not like we go and chat just because we see each other’s name on the screen”: online students’ experiences of social and academic community

Online students are becoming an increasingly big part of the student population in higher education. Interaction and collaboration is beneficial for academic performance and well-being, but can be challenging to facilitate in the online context. Through individual in-depth interviews, we have investigated online students’ experiences of academic and social community, as well as the role study flexibility can play in their participation in such communities. The thematic analysis resulted in four themes. Theme 1, Expectations of being self-sufficient, shows that many participants made good use of the flexibility of the studies by being organised and independent. However, the expectation of independence became a potential barrier to participation. Theme 2, Collaboration if valuable and flexible, describes how most participants desired increased collaboration with their peers, given that it was flexible and of academic value. Theme 3, Study groups as important but fragile communities, illustrates study groups as the participants’ primary learning communities, but finds that maintaining them over time could be challenging. Theme 4, Digital distance, depicts many participants’ challenges with connecting digitally with others. We discuss these findings in the light of self-determination theory, showing how flexibility can become both a facilitator and a barrier for basic need satisfaction in online education, and that participation and collaboration seemed to be more closely connected to the need for competence than for relatedness. The main implication of the study is that online studies should strive to create a need-supportive environment that facilitates academic community while acknowledging many online students’ necessity for flexibility.