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Work Motivation
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Work Motivation
History, Theory, Research, and Practice

Second Edition


December 2011 | 456 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
A seminal work in the field of motivation by the leading author on the topic, this classic has been fully revised and updated to include and distill the most current research from top international scholars. Drawing upon his experiences as a staff psychologist and consultant, Gary P. Latham writes in a mentor voice that is highly personal and rich in examples, providing a unique behavioral science framework for motivating employees in organizational settings. The book offers a chronological review of the field, and a taxonomy for the study and practice of motivation, complete with anecdotes about the major thought leaders in the field of motivation and behind-the-scenes research accounts. Highlights of this updated edition include new findings in goal-setting research, including insight into the dark side of goal-setting; more on the self in motivation, including self-regulated learning, self-evaluation methods, and the significance of self-efficacy as a predictor of performance and satisfaction; and more trending in the area of positive psychology and prosocial behavior in organizations.

 
Preface and Acknowledgments: Person-Environment Fit
 
Introduction: Thirteen Critical Incidents in the Life of a Scientist-Practitioner
 
PART I: THE 20TH CENTURY: UNDERSTANDING THE PAST
 
Chapter 1: 1900–1925: Biology, Behavior, and Money
 
Chapter 2: 1925–1950: Dust Bowl Empiricism
 
Chapter 3: 1950–1975: The Emergence of Theory
 
Chapter 4: 1975–2000: The Employee Is Immersed in Thought
 
Chapter 5: 20th-Century Controversies
 
PART II: THE 21ST CENTURY: EXAMINING THE PRESENT: 2000–2010
 
Chapter 6: Needs: The Starting Point of Motivation
 
Chapter 7: Personality Traits: Distal Predictors of Motivation
 
Chapter 8: Values: Trans-Situational Goals
 
Chapter 9: Cognition: Goals, Feedback, and Self-Regulation
 
Chapter 10: Social Cognitive Theory
 
Chapter 11: Affect/Emotion: The Employee Has Feelings Too
 
PART III: FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND POTENTIAL MISDIRECTIONS
 
Chapter 12: Boundaryless Psychology
 
PART IV: EPILOGUE
 
Chapter 13: The Art of Practice

Very good book indeed. I really enjoyed reading it and told the new MSc intake that they would enjoy this if they wanted to buy something more in depth on work motivation for themselves. I loved the historical aspect to it.

Dr Christine Sprigg
Management School, Sheffield University
September 27, 2012

A comprehensive text book, which provides students with in-depth analysis and background information on current research and practice.

Ms Michelle Mclaughlin
Department of Business & Finance, Croydon College
August 17, 2012

This was part of a development concept for an HR course that did not materialize.

Dr Lawrence Audler
Business Administration , Our Lady of Holy Cross College
June 2, 2012

It is a good overview of the topic, but does not translate well into course material. Perhaps this would serve as a good background text for a graduate course.

Dr Robert Klonoski
Business Administration Dept, Mary Baldwin College
January 24, 2012
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