Mitchell, William, Muysken, Joan, and Welters, Riccardo (2010) Self determination theory and employed job search. In: Proceedings of 12th Path to Full Employment Conference. pp. 222-235. From: 12th Path to Full Employment Conference, 2 - 3 December 2010, Newcastle. NSW, Australia.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Download (931kB)

Abstract

Self Determination Theory (SDT) predicts that employees who use extrinsic motivation to search for work are less successful and subsequently experience lower psychological wellbeing than their counterparts who use intrinsic motivation. Using Australian labour market data, we find strong support for SDT. We find that workers who hold casual employment or who are underemployed (i.e. who have extrinsic motives to search for work) are less likely to find alternate (better) work. Our findings suggest that labour market policies trending towards 'labour market flexibility / deregulation' - which provide workers with extrinsic motives to search for work - will not contribute to psychological wellbeing of workers. Since there is no evidence that such policies reduce aggregate unemployment levels, there are no microeconomic or macroeconomic reasons to justify them.

Item ID:	15566
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN:	978-0-9807618-4-9
Date Deposited:	12 May 2011 02:53
FoR Codes:	14 ECONOMICS > 1402 Applied Economics > 140211 Labour Economics @ 80% 17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1701 Psychology > 170109 Personality, Abilities and Assessment @ 20%
SEO Codes:	91 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 9102 Microeconomics > 910208 Micro Labour Market Issues @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 1253 Last 12 Months: 22
	More Statistics