Abstract:
This study examined the influence of perceived organizational support (POS) and
autonomy on employee motivation among selected bank workers in Nigeria. A
descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected using validated
instruments such as the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support (SPOS), Work
Design Questionnaire (WDQ), and Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Scale
(WEIMS). The findings revealed that POS significantly influenced employee
motivation (R2 = .121, p < .005). Autonomy also had a significant influence on
employee motivation (R22 = .142, p < .005). Furthermore, POS and autonomy
jointly influenced employee motivation, explaining 23.5% of the variance (R2 = .235,
p < .001).The findings indicate that the support employees perceive to have received
from their organizations coupled with their ability to express themselves at work in
taking cogent decisions about their work on the behalf of the organization will spur
them on and encourage them to always put in their best for their workplaces. The
study concluded that POS and autonomy are pivotal in driving motivation and job
satisfaction among bank workers, leading to enhanced organizational outcomes.
Recommendations from the study include enhancing POS through recognition and
development programs, promoting job autonomy, developing supportive leadership,
providing regular feedback, fostering a positive culture, and managing workload and
stress.
