INFLUENCE OF PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT AND AUTONOMY ON EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION AMONG SELECTED BANK WORKERS IN NIGERIA

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.