Exploring the link between intrinsic motivation and organisational commitment with the context of a sales organisation

This research study, undertaken as part of a Human Resources Masters course, was conducted to explore the possible correlation between intrinsic motivation and organisational commitment within the context of a multinational sales organisation. The author explored a foundation for the study by examining and analysing the relevant literature pertaining to intrinsic motivation and the three components of organisational commitment; affective, continuance and normative commitment. Research questions were devised taking into consideration both the objectives of the study and the nature of the academic literature which was examined. A questionnaire was chosen as the methodological approach for data collection amongst the sample population within the host organisation. This questionnaire was distributed to 180 employees within 6 different geographical markets of the organisation. These were Ireland, UK, Belgium, France, Spain and the Netherlands. 103 completed questionnaires were received back. The findings revealed that there is, within the host organisation, a positive correlation between intrinsic motivation and affective commitment, that there is no correlation between intrinsic motivation and continuance commitment and that there is also a positive correlation between intrinsic motivation and normative commitment. These findings may be significant in developing HR practices for the future