Why would I help my coworker? Exploring asymmetric task dependence and the self-determination theory internalization...

Area of Science:

• Organizational Behavior
• Social Psychology
• Work Design

Background:

• Power research posits asymmetric task dependence leads to selfishness.
• Work design theory suggests asymmetry may foster felt responsibility, but this remains untested.
• Self-determination theory (SDT) offers a framework for understanding motivation internalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the link between asymmetric task dependence and felt responsibility.
• To explore how work design characteristics influence motivation internalization via SDT.
• To differentiate task dependence from power dynamics in the workplace.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.
• Participants' experiences with asymmetric task dependence were manipulated.
• Measures included felt responsibility and helping behaviors provided to a dependent coworker.

Main Results:

• Asymmetric task dependence was found to encourage felt responsibility for the dependent's task.
• Felt responsibility significantly mediated the relationship between task asymmetry and helping behavior.
• The findings support the role of internalization in transforming external task demands into internal motivation.

Conclusions:

• Felt responsibility serves as an indicator of internalized motivation derived from external tasks.
• Work design characteristics can be transformed into self-directed motivation through the SDT internalization process.
• This study advances understanding of task dependence, power, and motivation in organizational settings.