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The Effects of Financial and Recognition Incentives Across Work Contexts: The Role of Meaning

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  • Kosfeld, Michael
  • Neckermann, Susanne
  • Yang, Xiaolan

Abstract

We manipulate workers’ perceived meaning of a job in a field experiment and interact meaning of work with both financial and recognition incentives. Results show that workers exert more effort when meaning is high. Money has a positive effect on performance that is independent of meaning. In contrast, meaning and recognition interact negatively. Our results provide new insights into the stability of incentive effects across important work contexts. They also suggest that meaning and worker recognition may operate via the same motivational channel.

Suggested Citation

  • Kosfeld, Michael & Neckermann, Susanne & Yang, Xiaolan, 2016. "The Effects of Financial and Recognition Incentives Across Work Contexts: The Role of Meaning," CEPR Discussion Papers 11221, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:11221
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Meaning; Monetary incentives; Worker recognition; Context factors; Interactions; Field experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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