Investigating the effect of meaning of life on job performance with the mediating role of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation of employees of Isfahan Urban Train Organization

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Management, Payame Noor University Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Engineering and Information Technology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

3 M.A., Department of Public Management, Payame NoorUniversity, Tehran, Iran.

4 Ph.D. Student, Department of Public Management, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30473/jpsy.2025.75139.1096

Abstract

The meaning of life is essential for maintaining mental health and encompasses a value that leads individuals to focus on their goals and overall satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the meaning of life on job performance, with the mediating role of employees' extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. This research is applied in terms of purpose and correlational-descriptive in terms of methodology. The statistical population of this study included all employees of the Isfahan Urban Railway Organization and the Isfahan Metro Company, totaling 180 individuals, from which 122 participants selected through simple random sampling based on Cochran's formula. The data collection tools were the Meaning in Life Questionnaires by Steger et al. (2006), Job Performance scales by Dysvik and Kuvaas (2011), and Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation measures by Holger et al. (2024). Data analysis conducted using path analysis through structural equation modeling (SEM) with the assistance of SPSS 22 and Smart PLS software. The results indicated that the presence of meaning in life has a significant effect on extrinsic motivation (β = 0.283) and intrinsic motivation (β = 0.276) (p < 0.05). The search for meaning in life significantly influences extrinsic motivation (β = 0.669) and intrinsic motivation (β = 0.264) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the presence of meaning in life affects job performance effort through the mediating role of extrinsic motivation (T = 9.460) and the mediating role of intrinsic motivation (T = 7.859). The presence of meaning and motivation within organizational policies and strategies can significantly influence individuals' motivation. Therefore, effective organizational policies that provide opportunities for growth, career advancement, and meaning in life enable employees to achieve substantial improvements in their job performance. 

Keywords

References

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