Intrinsic motivation and innovative work behavior: Meaningful work as mediator

Authors

  • Ni Luh Rimasari Udayana University, Denpasar, Indonesia
  • I Gusti Ayu Manuati Dewi Udayana University, Denpasar, Indonesia
  • I Gusti Made Suwandana Udayana University, Denpasar, Indonesia
  • I Gde Ketut Warmika Udayana University, Denpasar, Indonesia

Keywords:

intrinsic motivations, innovative work behavior, meaningful work

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of intrinsic motivation on innovative work behavior mediated by meaningful work of Cipta Dharma Elementary School teachers. The phenomenon of low innovative work behavior of teachers is evident from the results of the pre-survey which shows that most teachers rarely use new methods, lack innovative ideas, and have low participation in implementing new ideas. This study uses an associative causality design. The sample was 45 determined by saturated sampling technique. Data collection was carried out through a questionnaire measured using a Likert Scale, then analyzed using the Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. The results show that (1) intrinsic motivation has a positive and significant effect on innovative work behavior; (2) intrinsic motivation has a positive and significant effect on meaningful work; (3) meaningful work has a positive and significant effect on innovative work behavior; and (4) meaningful work partially and complementary mediates the effect of intrinsic motivation on innovative work behavior. The results of this study emphasize the importance of developing teachers' intrinsic motivation and increasing the meaningfulness of work to encourage innovative behavior in elementary education environments. This research provides support for the development of self-determination theory by demonstrating the importance of considering meaning factors in explaining the process by which intrinsic motivation translates into innovative behavior.

References

Ackerman, C. E. MA. (2018). Self-determination theory and how it explains motivations. https://positivepsychology.com/self-determination-theory/.

Adriyanto, A. T., & Prasetyo, A. (2021). Pengaruh Motivasi Intrinsik dan Knowledge Sharing terhadap Produktivitas Kerja melalui Perilaku Inovatif sebagai Variabel Intervening. Jurnal Perpajakan, Manajemen dan Akuntansi, 13(1), hal. 35-45.

Amabile, T. M. and Pratt, M. G. (2016). The Dynamic Componential Model of Creativity and Innovation in Organizations: Making Progress, Making Meaning. Research in Organizational Behavior, 36(2016), pp. 157-183.

Asih, N. M. V. (2023). Pengaruh Blended Learning, Media Pembelajaran, dan Motivasi Belajar terhadap Hasil Belajar Siswa. Jurnal Locus: Penelitian & Pengabdian, 2(2), hal. 119-134.

Bailey, C., Yeoman. R., Madden. A., Thompson. M., Kerridge, G. (2019). A Review of Empirical Literature on Meaningful Work: Progress and Research Agenda. Human Resource Development Review, 18(1), pp. 83-113.

Bawuro, F., Shamsuddin, A., Wahab, E., Usman, H. (2019). Mediating Role of Meaningful Work in the Relationship between Intrinsic Motivation and Innovative Work Behavior. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 8(9), pp. 2076-2084.

Bawuro, F., Shamsuddin, A., Wahab, E., Adenuga, K. I. (2020). Motivational Mechanism on Teachers Innovative Behavior – A Systematic Review Approach. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(6), pp. 2394-5125.

Csordas, G., Matuszka, B., Sallay, V., Martos, T. (2022). Assesing Meaningful Work Among Hungarian Employees: Testing Psychometryc Properties of Work and Meaning Inventory in Employee Subgroups. BMC Psychology, 10(56), pp. 1-10.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1982). Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Self-Determination Theory. Retrieved from http://selfdeterminationtheory.org/intrinsic-motivation-inventory/.

Di-Domenico, S. I. & Ryan, R. M. (2017). The Emerging Neuroscience of Motivasi Intrinsik: A New Frontier in Self-Determination Research. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11(145), pp. 1-14.

Fletcher, L. & Schofield, K. (2021). Facilitating Meaningfulness in the Workplace: A Field Intervention Study. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(14), pp. 2975-3003.

Ganjali, A. and Rezaee. S. (2016). Linking Perceived Employee Voice and Creativity. Iranian Journal of Management Studies, 9(1), pp. 175-191.

Ghafoor, A. & Haar, J. (2019). Organisational-Based Self-Esteem. Meaningful Work, and Creativity Behaviors: A Moderated Mediation Model with Supervisor Support. New Zealand Journal of Employment Relations, 44(3), pp. 11-31.

Hair, J., Hult. G., Ringle, C., Sarstedt, M. (2017). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) (Second Edition). Thousand Oals: SAGE.

Hariyanti, Y. D. & Izzati, U. A. (2024). Studi Literatur Sistematis terhadap Perilaku Inovatif pada Guru. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 8(2), hal. 28955-28964.

Hasan, I., dan Djudiyah. (2023). Pekerjaanmu Bermakna, Apa Sebabnya? (Anteseden dari Pekerjaan yang bermakna): Scooping Review. Buletin Psikologi, 31(2), hal. 265-284.

Herbiyanti, F., Rahmawati, I., Hardjowikarto, D. A., Suzana, A. (2024). The Role of Intrinsic Motivation on Innovative Work Behavior Mediated by Creative Self-Efficacy. Journal Research of Social Science, Economics, and Management, 03(12), pp. 1687-1698.

Idris, Zaitul, Yuliviona, R. (2024). Pengaruh Kepemimpinan Transformasional dan Motivasi Intrinsik terhadap Perilaku Kerja Inovatif dengan Job Crafting sebagai Variabel Intervening pada Dinas Perikanan Kabupaten Agam. Economics and Business, 7(2), pp. 966-980.

Islammiyanti, R., dan Sulistyo, H. (2022). Peran Workplace Spirituality, Meaningful Work dan Leadership terhadap Perilaku Kerja Inovatif dan Kinerja SDM. Jurnal Ilmiah Sultan Agung, 1(1), hal. 945-964.

Jong, D. J. & Hartog, D. D. (2010). Measuring Innovative Work Behavior. Creativity and Innovation Management, 19(1), 23-36.

Kusmargono, C. A., Jaya, W. K., Hadna, A. H., Sumaryono. (2023). The Effect of Authentic Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior Mediated by Work Meaningfulness. Journal of Psychology and Behavior Studies, 3(2), pp. 01-07.

Lepisto, D. A. & Pratt, M. G. (2017). Meaningful Work as Realization and Justification. Organizational Psychology Review, 7(2), pp. 99-121.

Martela, F., Gomez, M., Unanue, W., Araya, S., Bravo, D., Espejo, A. (2021). What Makes Work Meaningful? Longitudinal Evidence for the Importance of Autonomy and Beneficence for Meaningful Work. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 131(2021), pp. 1-15.

Martela, F. & Pessi, A. B. (2018). Significant Work is about Self-Realization and Broader Purpose: Defining the Key Dimensions of Meaningful Work. Frontiers in Psychology, 9(363), pp. 1-15.

Nardo, R., Helia, S. & Jayaa, A. (2022). Perilaku Inovatif SDM dalam Organisasi. Kajian Teoritis dan Praktis. Bandung: CV. MEDIA SAINS INDONESIA.

Nardo, R. & Hasymi, E. (2024). The Influence of Competence and Intrinsic Motivation on Innovative Work Behavior with Meaningfulness of Work as a Mediator. Journal of Management Science, 7(1), pp. 479-486.

Nasir, N., Halimatussakdiah, H., Suryani, I., Zuhra, S. E., Armia, S. & Mahdani, M. (2018). How Intrinsic Motivation and Innovative Work Behavior Affect Job Performance. Paper presented at the 1st Aceh Global Conference (AGC 2018), 292(Agc), pp. 606-612.

Nilasari, B. M., Nisfiannoor, M., Barizfallah, T. D. (2022). The Role of Intrinsic Motivation on Innovative Work Behavior in Jakarta Post Covid-19 Pandemic. The International Journal of Organizational Innovation, 14(4), pp. 190-203.

Pradhan, S. & Jena, L. K. (2019). Does Meaningful Work Explains the Relationships between Transformational Leadership and Innovative Work Behavior?. The Journal for Decision Makers, 44(1), pp. 30-40.

Puspitarani, P. & Masykur, A. M. (2018). Makna Menjadi Guru Taman Kanak-kanak. Jurnal Empati, 7(1), hal. 308-314.

Razak, N. (2021). How Self-Efficacy Drives Job Performance: The Role of Job Anxiety and Intrinsic Motivation. Jurnal Manajemen, 25(2), pp. 190-205.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1982). Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Self-Determination Theory. Retrieved from http://selfdeterminationtheory.org/intrinsic-motivation-inventory/.

Ryan, R. M. & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, And Wellness. London: Guilford Publications.

Ryan, R. M. & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic Motivation from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: Definitions, Theory, Practices, and Future Directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61(April), pp. 1-11.

Saeed, B. B., Afsar, B. Shahjehan, A. Shah, S. I. (2019). Does Transformational Leadership Foster Innovative Work Behavior? The Roles of Psychological Empowerment, Intrinsic Motivation, and Creative Progress Engagement. Economic Research, 32(1), pp. 254-281.

SD Cipta Dharma. https://sdciptadharma.sch.id/profil-sekolah/. Diakses pada 9 Agustus 2025.

Sedger, A. K. M., Wiener, K. K. K. (2021). Is Meaningful Work a Stronger Predictor of Innovation than Transformational Leadership?. World Journal of Business and Management, 7(2), pp. 1-17.

Singh, N., Bamel, U., Vohra, V. (2021). The Mediating Effect of Meaningful Work Between Human Resource Practices and Innovative Work Behavior: A Study of Emerging Market. Employee Relations: The International Journal, 43(2), pp. 459-478.

Sugiyono. (2018). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif Kualitatif dan R&D. Bandung: Alfabeta.

Susanti, F. & Lizarti. (2021). Pengaruh Motivasi dan Kepuasan Kerja terhadap Perilaku Inovatif Individu Kantor Perwakilan Bank Indonesia Provinsi Sumatera Barat. Jurnal Administrasi Sosial dan Humaniora, 4(3), hal. 111-121.

Syahputra, N. F., & Satrya, A. (2021). Relationship Between Work Ethic and Innovative Work Behavior by Person Organization Fit and Intrinsic Motivation on Banking Employees. Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research, 192(Piceeba), pp. 501-507.

Wingerden, J. V. & Stoep, J. V. (2018). The Motivational Potential of Meaningful Work: Relationships with Strengths Use, Work Engagement, and Performance. PLOS ONE, 13(3), PP. 1-11.

Ximenes, M., Supartha, W.G., Dewi, I. G. A. M., Sintaasih, D. K. (2019). Entrepreneurial Leadership Moderating High Performance Work System and Employee Creativity on Employee Performance. Cogent Business & Management, 6: 1697512.

Published

2025-10-20

How to Cite

Rimasari, N. L., Dewi, I. G. A. M., Suwandana, I. G. M., & Warmika, I. G. K. (2025). Intrinsic motivation and innovative work behavior: Meaningful work as mediator. International Journal of Economic Perspectives, 19(10), 178–199. Retrieved from http://ijeponline.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1196

Issue

Section

Peer Review Articles