Learning goal orientation and creative performance : the differential mediating roles of challenge and enjoyment intrinsic motivations
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Asia Pacific Journal of Management
Publication Date
9-2014
Volume
31
Issue
3
First Page
811
Last Page
834
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
Keywords
Learning goal orientation, Intrinsic motivation, Intellectual stimulation, Creative performance
Abstract
We develop a theoretical model to account for the effect of learning goal orientation on creative performance by distinguishing two dimensions of intrinsic motivation as mediators. Challenge intrinsic motivation is concerned with the interest in and excitement of solving problems and tackling complex tasks, whereas enjoyment intrinsic motivation is concerned with the enjoyment of task activities for self-expression and self-entertainment. Results from a sample of 189 Chinese employees support this model and show that learning goal orientation had significant positive relationships with both dimensions of intrinsic motivation, but only challenge intrinsic motivation was significantly related to creative performance and mediated the positive relationship between learning goal orientation and creative performance. As predicted, intellectual stimulation, a dimension of transformational leadership, showed a moderating effect, such that learning goal orientation was less strongly related to challenge intrinsic motivation when intellectual stimulation was high. In addition, a moderated mediation effect was found, such that the mediating effect of challenge intrinsic motivation for the relationship between learning goal orientation and creative performance was weaker when intellectual stimulation was high. No such moderation effect was found for enjoyment intrinsic motivation, providing further support for the differential roles of these two dimensions of intrinsic motivation.
DOI
10.1007/s10490-013-9367-3
Print ISSN
02174561
E-ISSN
15729958
Publisher Statement
Copyright © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Leung, K., Chen Tingting, & Chen, G. (2014). Learning goal orientation and creative performance: The differential mediating roles of challenge and enjoyment intrinsic motivations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 31(3), 811-834. doi: 10.1007/s10490-013-9367-3