Integrating Implicit Motives, Explicit Motives, and Perceived Abilities: The Compensatory Model of Work Motivation and Volition

Abstract

The compensatory model of work motivation and volition synthesizes some previously unrelated lines of research. The structural components of the model are implicit motives, explicit motives, and perceived abilities; the functional processes are volitional regulation (compensating for inadequate motivation) and problem solving (compensating for inadequate perceived abilities). Propositions that integrate, challenge, and extend existing conceptions are derived. Moreover, the framework of the compensatory model suggests an agenda for future research.