WORK MOTIVATION IN THE MILLENNIAL ERA: EXPLORING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DRIVERS IN A COLOMBIAN SAMPLE

Abstract

This research studies the characteristics of millennials’ work motivation and differences in internal and external drivers as a function of sociodemographic variables, such as gender and educational level. A total of 142 employees from Colombian companies, born between 1982 and 1999, completed the Work Motivation Questionnaire. Participants' work motivation characteristics were found to be associated with recognition as the main internal motivator and salary as the main external motivator. Differences were found in the internal motivational conditions (affiliation, self-realisation, and recognition), external factors (work content), and preferred means of obtaining desired rewards at work (acceptance of authority) as a function of the sex of the participants. Differences were found in affiliation, supervision, workgroup, and work content drivers as a function of educational level. It is concluded that millennial employees mainly value recognition and economic retribution for their work and are willing to persuade or directly request desired work, and that variables such as gender and educational level can impact differences in work motivation. The implications of these findings for human talent management processes are discussed.