Work Motivation
History, Theory, Research, and Practice

Second Edition

Gary P. Latham - University of Toronto, Canada

Courses:
Human Resource Development | Leadership | Organizational Behavior

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.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781412990936	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $166.00	Bookstore Price: $132.80
ISBN: 9781544303284	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $104.00	Bookstore Price: $83.20

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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

This is a very good revision of the literature on work motivation. An essential book for students who want to deep their knowledge on this topic.

Dr Isabel Dimas

Economics, University of Coimbra

January 22, 2021

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Very good overview of motivation theories. Appropriate for master's students.

Dr Isabel Dimas

Economics, University of Coimbra

May 22, 2020

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A small reference book that is easy to follow and packed full of useful theories around motivation. Current and easy to find your way around the index.

Mrs Laura Castles

Management, Torfaen Training

November 29, 2019

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An excellent book, well written and accessible. Some small updates and enjoyed the inclusion of attachment styles

Mr Gary Pheiffer

School of Psychology, London Metropolitan University

November 30, 2015

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I originally looked at this for our ERM course but it finished in 2014. HOwever, I now recommend this to students on our Social Psychology of Work (undergraduate L5 option) who want to look at work motivation in more detail. It is a very thorough text

Mr Neill Thompson

School of Psychology and Sport Science, Northumbria University

April 16, 2015

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A great book that covers many theories. We took this text on our residential for students to prepare presentations on motivation

Mrs Nikki Southgate

CHILDCARE AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE, Central Bedfordshire College

February 18, 2015

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Great book, contains many anecdotes as well as detailing the evidence base. Interestingly structured in terms of a timeline. Only irritation is the vast number of footnotes, which sometimes take 2/3 of the page.

Dr Manda Branson

Sch of Psychology & Clinical Lang Sci, Reading University

August 28, 2015

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I have recommended this book to several of my students. It provides an excellent overview of the theoretical underpinnings of employee motivation and job satisfaction.

Miss Moya Lerigo-Jones

Faculty of Social Science and Business, University of Plymouth

October 24, 2013

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This is the best text on motivation theories that I have found. It is easy for the students to understand.

Professor Constance Thompson

Psychology Dept, Edgewood College

September 2, 2013

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This is an excellent book on motivation but does not fit into my present modules.

Dr Chuma Osuchukwu

Postgraduate Faculty, London School of Business and Management