Does motivation differ across generations? A two-wave study

PurposeThe main objective of the study was to understand the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on productivity at two different times: before and after the pandemic era, among middle and top-level professionals across India.Design/methodology/approachThe study has adopted a shortitudinal approach. The data were collected two times from the same respondents: before the pandemic (T1) and after the pandemic (T2) following the convenience sampling. At T1, we received responses from 321 respondents. At T2, we received only 203 responses while contacting the same respondents. Thus, the final sample size was only 203 respondents.FindingsThe results revealed that in the pre-pandemic times, both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation impacted the productivity of middle and top-level professionals. Further, the study also revealed that only intrinsic motivation impacted productivity after the pandemic. Moreover, generational cohorts (pre-liberalization, early-liberalization and rapid growth generations) moderated the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and Productivity at T1 and T2.Research limitations/implicationsWoven in the multiple theories, the study has some practical and theoretical nuances. The intrinsic and extrinsic motivations were rooted in the self-determination theory. The results also supported that extrinsic reward cannot increase intrinsic motivation in difficult times, and only intrinsic motivation is constant at all times, contributing to productivity. The HR department should understand the importance of intrinsic motivation and design employee benefits and policies.Practical implicationsThe results also supported that extrinsic reward cannot increase intrinsic motivation in difficult times, and only intrinsic motivation is constant at all times, contributing to productivity. The HR department should understand the importance of intrinsic motivation and design employee benefits and policies.Originality/valueFollowing the generational view, the study added that different generation reacts differently to the turbulent times.