The aim of this study was to examine the manner in which verbal rewards are conveyed toaudit assistants and how they affect their motivation within a professional context. Toachieve this, the theoretical framework delved into existing research concerning variousways in which verbal rewards can be conveyed. Additionally, theories on different formsof motivation were highlighted.The study employs a qualitative approach to facilitate the collection of in-depth data thatcan offer a nuanced understanding of the relationship between verbal rewards andmotivation. Specifically, a qualitative personal method has been utilized throughsynchronous interviews, indicating direct interaction between the researchers andrespondents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, with a foundation in the topicsof the study’s theories but allowing flexibility to enable deeper discussions and reflections.Two primary categories of verbal rewards received by audit assistants, namely sincereinformative and concise, have surfaced as key patterns from the study’s results. Theanalysis clarifies that the manner in which a verbal reward is conveyed contributes todifferent effects on motivation, thereby confirming existing research. The study’s results,however, challenge certain assertions regarding how specific characteristics withincategories of verbal rewards impact the two different forms of motivation, autonomousand controlling. In conclusion, the study finds that sincere informative verbal rewardspredominantly exert an enhancing effect on autonomous motivation, but also on acomponent of controlled motivation. Concise verbal rewards demonstrate a limitedenhancement of autonomous motivation but a more pronounced increase in controlledmotivation. In summary, the study has revealed clear patterns on how verbal rewards areconveyed to audit assistants, and although the effects on their motivation has varied, thestudy can establish that verbal rewards influence their motivation.

This dissertation investigates the links between lesson characteristics, student engagement, self-determination, and environmental literacy outcomes at a residential environmental education (EE) program. I developed a novel methodology using observations of 81 lessons at the study site to isolate the characteristics hypothesized to influence student engagement, self-determination, and outcomes of environmental literacy. Student surveys provided self-reported data on student engagement, selfdetermination, and environmental literacy. Mixed-methods analyses allowed me to explore these links within the 81 lessons observed in this case study. The results are organized into five chapters: an introduction chapter; three manuscripts planned for stand-alone publication (Chapters 2 - 4); and a conclusion chapter. Chapter 2 reports on the links between student engagement, self-determination, and environmental literacy. Chapter 3 provides insights on the links between the lesson characteristics (e.g., educator characteristics, teaching approaches, and schoolteacher/chaperone behaviors) and environmental literacy outcomes. Chapter 4 investigates the degree to which measures of student engagement, observed or self-reported, are associated with environmental literacy outcomes. Chapter 5 summarizes the findings from this study and presents additional analyses intended to fully synthesize the links between lesson characteristics, student engagement, self-determination, and environmental literacy. This study provides a novel methodology and survey items that may be of use to both practitioners and researchers. This research offers useful information about why and how EE works in this case and some of the specific characteristics and practices that engender positive environmental literacy outcomes. / Ph. D.

The Effects of Age, Employment, Marriage, and Education on Academic Motivation in Undergraduate Nursing Students Purpose: The amount of research on non-cognitive variables affecting motivation is limited in nursing students. By using Self-Determination Theory, faculty can determine what motivates students to learn which will allow the creation of a learning environment that promotes student achievement. Aim: To determine the effect age, marriage status, employment, and education level have on academic motivation in nursing students in the third semester of a baccalaureate nursing program within the framework of Self-Determination Theory. Method: A descriptive correlational design was used to identify the effect age, marriage status, employment, and education level have on intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation in third semester nursing students (n = 39). After IRB approval, a link to an electronic demographic survey and Academic Motivation Scale-College Version 28 (AMS-C28) was distributed to students. Using SPSS-22, four independent t-tests were conducted to determine if differences existed between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and the variables age, marriage status, employment status, and education level. Results: The findings indicated the following variables had statistically significant relationships with extrinsic motivation: age (t=-2.108, df=30, p=.017, one-tailed) and employment (t=-2.117, df=37, p=.006, one-tailed). Intrinsic motivation was not statistically significant with any variable. Based on these results, unemployed students over 25 are more likely to be extrinsically motivated to learn. Conclusion: Understanding how non-cognitive variables affect motivation will assist nursing faculty in providing a learning environment that will increase student motivation to learn and graduate. Increasing graduation rates can positively affect the nursing workforce and patient care.

Title: Motivation and performance among real estate Brokers: The role of motivation in realestate brokers' performance and well-being: A study based on Self-Determination Theory Level: Bachelor's thesis in Business Administration Authors: Amanda Hurtig and Maja Lindgren Supervisor: Jonas Kågström Date: 2024 – May Aim: The purpose of the study is to explain how real estate brokers are motivated andthrough an investigation explain how their motivation affects their performance. Method: The study employed a quantitative method with a deductive approach and aweb-based survey. The sample included 4218 Swedish real estate brokers, with 470 responsesfor analysis. Statistical software JASP was used for descriptive analyses, correlation analyses,and T-tests. Results and Conclusion: Both internal and external factors were found to be important, withstrong correlations between work environment and performance. An interesting discoverywas that internal motivation, such as interest in challenges, influenced goal achievement. Thestudy also emphasized the importance of a positive work environment in promoting bothperformance and well-being. Contribution of the Thesis: The study provides insights into the importance of motivationalfactors for performance and well-being. Both internal and external factors are crucial, with anemphasis on creating an environment that supports autonomy and engagement. Suggestions for Further Research: Future studies could investigate gender differences,geographical factors, and conduct longitudinal studies to understand changes over time. Comparisons with other variables such as job satisfaction could provide additional insights. Keywords: Self-Determination Theory, Performance, Real Estate Brokers, Work Environment, Motivation.

Research Question: How does the availability of remote work options influence employee     motivation and subsequently impact employee performance in a hybrid workplace setting? Purpose: The purpose of this research is to delve into the dynamics involved in hybrid work environments and evaluate the factors that contribute to employee motivation and consequently, performance. The research aims to determine how intrinsic, extrinsic and other facilitators influence employee motivation in these recently implemented work environments. Additionally, it seeks to explore two perspectives: that from an employee perspective and from a managerial perspective.  Method: A qualitative research method was employed in this thesis, with empirical data being collected through semi-structured interviews with managers and employees who work in office-based roles. Additionally, this study examines the relevant motivation theories to help understand the interview findings, providing a comprehensive framework for analyzing employee motivation in the context of hybrid work.  Conclusion: The employee interview respondents indicate that fulfillment of autonomy,   relatedness and work-life balance are crucial for maintaining motivation in a hybrid work setting. Although overall performance levels did not experience significant changes, managers reported encountering delays and challenges during the initial transition to remote work. Competence was one of the basic needs with little to no evidence of being impacted, however work efficiency tended to decline in a remote setting.

This study investigated the motivational factors that encourage employees to engage in obligatory internal E-learning courses, with a focus on incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and gamification elements to enhance their motivation and commitment. The study drew on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), which emphasizes three core needs for motivation: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. It argued that for motivation to occur, individuals must experience self-governance (autonomy), proficiency (competence), and a sense of belonging (relatedness) in their tasks. Using a qualitative methodology, data was collected through 11 semi-structured interviews with employees who had participated in internal E-courses. Thematic analysis indicate that employees have a strong need for skills development related to their client assignments and professional roles, but that lack of time is a central factor affecting when they undertake these E-courses. Additionally, several employees expressed a lack of community and belonging among the staff regarding these internal E-courses. This result indicates that the three psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are not particularly well satisfied at present. To counteract this a conceptual solution was proposed that integrated gamification elements and AI-technology to improve employee motivation. The integration of AI in E-learning was posited as a means to tailor learning experiences more closely to individual needs, thereby potentially increasing motivation by providing personalized challenges and constructive feedback to enhance the employee’s skill development. Furthermore, it was proposed that an AI could be used as an examiner that users could engage in conversation with, in order to create a more interactive learning experience. Lastly it was proposed that the company should implement more group activities and use aspects of social media on their learning platform, to increase a sense of belonging amongst the employees. This conceptual solution is purely theoretical and necessitates empirical testing in future studies to substantiate and confirm the assumptions made.

Sverige befinner sig i en lågkonjunktur och svenska företag har påverkats i stor utsträckning. Många företag har tvingats skära ner på sina resurser, bland annat genom att varsla personal. Medarbetare på företag som drabbats av lågkonjunkturen har därmed hamnat i en osäker situation. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur en sådan samhällssituation påverkar medarbetares motivation. Studien utgår genomgående från självbestämmandeteorin för att undersöka olika motivationsfaktorer. En kvantitativ enkätundersökning skickades ut via Linkedin. Undersökningen gav 57 giltiga svar från medarbetare i Sverige, främst i åldrarna 18–25. Responsen användes i sin tur som underlag för korrelationstester där sambandet mellan oro inför inflationen testades mot olika motivationstyper. Pearsons test angående sambandet gav därtill ett resultat som visade att det fanns ett signifikant samband mellan undersökta variabler. Utifrån resultatet kunde en slutsats dras om att motivationstypen yttre motivation och det reglerade tillståndet external regulation hade mest betydelse för medarbetare som känner oro inför inflationen. Därmed motiveras medarbetare mestadels av den minst autonoma typen av motivation under osäkra ekonomiska förhållanden. Det dras även en slutsats om att medarbetare som känner oro för sin arbetssituation till följd av inflationen är drabbade av en hög grad amotivation. / Sweden is currently afflicted by a recession that has a big influence on Swedish companies. Several companies are forced to curtail their resources, among them cut down on staff. Employees who work at companies that are affected by the recession find themself in an uncertain work situation. The aim of the study is to identify how an uncertain social situation affects employee motivation. The study is based on the self-determination theory to investigate different motivational factors. A quantitative survey was sent out via Linkedin. The survey yielded 57 valid responses from employees in Sweden, mostly in the ages between 18–25. The response was used as a foundation for correlation tests where the relationship between concerns about the recession was compared to different motivational factors. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed results where there was a significant connection between studied variables. Based on the results of the correlation tests a conclusion could be drawn about extrinsic motivation and the regulated style of external regulation. External regulation had the most meaning for employees who were concerned about the recession and their work situation. Thus, employees are mostly motivated by the least autonomous form of motivation during uncertain economic times. Another conclusion is that employees who are concerned about their work situation due to the recession are also affected by a high level of amotivation.

Personlig assistans är en insats inom lagen om stöd och service till vissa funktionshindrade (LSS) och syftar till att ge individen kontroll och självbestämmande i sitt liv. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur den assistansberättigade upplever sin personliga assistans utifrån självbestämmande i förhållande till de aktörer som är inblandade i processen såsom sjukvården, Försäkringskassan, kommun, assistansanordnare samt personliga assistenter. Den teoretiska utgångspunkten var Self-determination theory, vilken utgår från begreppen självbestämmande, kompetens och tillhörighet. Semistrukturerade intervjuer med nio assistansberättigade, analyserades tematiskt. Resultaten presenterar fem teman som centrala för upplevelsen av självbestämmande: relationens betydelse - personkontinuitet underlättar; makt, kontroll och kunskap; ingen assistans, inget självbestämmande; kommunikation och stöd för kommunikation samt politik och besparingar. Resultatet visade att relationen till samtliga aktörer påverkar upplevelsen av självbestämmandet, samt att kunskap, kommunikation och stöd är av vikt. Genom att själv vara arbetsledare för sin assistans återtar individen kontrollen över viktiga beslut och kan därmed utöva självbestämmande.

Att upprätthålla regelbundna träningsvanor har visat sig oerhört viktigt för att främja både mental och fysisk hälsa. Denna kvalitativa studie undersöker de motivationsfaktorer som bidrar till att upprätthålla träningsrutiner och hur avsaknaden av dessa kan bidra till upplevt motstånd och därmed begränsa individens strävan om långsiktig fysisk aktivitet. Studien baseras på material från tio intervjuer med personer som har tränat minst två gånger i veckan i ett halvår. Genom tematisk analys framträdde fyra centrala teman: Lyssna på kroppen, Planerat beteende, Återkoppling samt Positiva hälsoeffekter av träning. Dessa teman belyser både främjande och begränsande faktorer vid upprätthållandet av hållbara träningsrutiner samt träningens upplevda hälsofördelar för individen. Resultatet diskuteras utifrån Self-Determination teorin och tidigare forskning kring beteendeförändringar. Det visade hur intern och extern motivation kan komplettera varandra i strävan med att bibehålla varaktiga träningsrutiner. Sammantaget tycks regelstyrt beteende vara en avgörande faktor för att brygga gapet mellan värderingsstyrda och luststyrda träningsvanor.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka projektledares upplevelser av att skapa och upprätthålla motivation i distribuerade projektteam. Undersökningen har genomförts via kvalitativ ansats där nio semistrukturerade intervjuer ligger till grund för studiens empiri. Intervjuerna bearbetades genom tematisk analys där tre teman identifierades. To be clear is to be kind, Bygga relationer och gemenskap, Tillit och transperens är A och O.  Studiens resultat visar att projektledare fokuserar på tydliga mål, kommunikation och social interaktion för att initialt skapa motivation i sina distribuerade team. För att upprätthålla motivation i sina distribuerade team anses relationer och gemenskap vara viktiga faktorer. Flexibilitet, lyhördhet, feedback och återkoppling används för att utvärdera och anpassa ledarskapet efter teamets behov. Studiens slutsatser visar att projektledares motivationsskapande arbete tydligt kan kopplas till Self-Determination Theory och individens behov av kompetens, autonomi och samhörighet. Det är dock viktigt att projektledare har självinsikt samt tar hänsyn till den digitala kontexten där ledarskapet utövas för att förstå och förutsäga effekterna av sitt motivationsskapande arbete.