When Midway Won’t Do: The Curvilinear Relationship Between Intrinsic Motivation and Willingness to be Flexible

Abstract

Intrinsic motivation is held as critical for employees’ willingness to be flexible (WTBF). Yet empirical research suggests that employees who find work intrinsically satisfying could resist work changes. In this study, we predict that the relationship between intrinsic motivation and employees’ WTBF will become more positive as intrinsic motivation advances beyond moderate levels. We also examine the role developmental supervisor support plays in generating the critical threshold of intrinsic motivation needed for it to be positively related with WTBF. Our study provides insight into how and when intrinsic motivation increases employees’ WTBF and into the degree of developmental support needed to facilitate a positive relationship between these variables.