Using self-determination theory to assess the service product at a wellness facility: a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-277
Author(s):  
Karen Thal ◽  
Simon Hudson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a theoretical framework to identify the specific aspects of the guest experience at a wellness facility that contribute to well-being. Self-determination theory (SDT) is used as the theoretical framework. According to SDT, basic needs must be met in order for psychological well-being to be achieved. Thus, in addition to the services and amenities offered, the quality of interactions with staff and service providers are integral to wellness vacation outcomes or basic need fulfillment. Design/methodology/approach Psychological precursors, or basic needs, were estimated using structural equation modeling, and these precursors were significant with the model explaining considerable variation in the outcome variable, well-being. Findings The results suggest that guest experiences can be enhanced if management facilitates guest autonomy, helps guests develop a sense of mastery with respect to activities and encourages positive interactions between guests. Research limitations/implications Study limitations include the single venue used for data collection, sample size and a focus on exercise activities as a proxy for staff–guest interactions. Practical implications This study sheds light on an under-researched area, providing managerial guidelines for wellness tourism destinations with respect to service delivery. Originality/value This study extends the wellness tourism literature by suggesting a framework to assess the service product and optimize guest experiences within the niche wellness sector of the tourism and hospitality industry.

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 511-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Engström ◽  
Mattias Elg

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore what motivates patients to participate in service development and how participation may influence their well-being. Health-care providers are increasingly adopting practices of customer participation in such activities to improve their services. Design/methodology/approach – This paper builds on an analysis of data from a service development project in which lung cancer patients contributed by sharing their ideas and experiences through diaries. Out of the 86 lung cancer patients who were invited to participate, 20 agreed to participate and 14 fully completed the task. The study builds on participants’ contributions, in-depth interviews with six participants and the reasons patients gave for not participating. Findings – This paper identifies a number of motives: non-interest in participating, restitution after poor treatment, desire for contact with others, volunteerism, desire to make a contribution and the enjoyment of having a task to complete. A self-determination theory perspective was adopted to show how the need to satisfy basic human needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness determines if and how patients participate. Participation may have important benefits for patients, especially an improved sense of relatedness. Practical implications – Service providers must be prepared to meet different patient needs in service development, ranging from the need to express strong distress to expressing creativity. By understanding the dynamics of motivation and well-being, organizers may achieve better results in terms of improved services and in patient well-being. Originality/value – This study makes a significant contribution to the study of customer participation in service development, especially in relation to health care, by offering a self-determination-based typology for describing different styles of patient participation.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayeda Zeenat Maryam ◽  
Fouzia Ali ◽  
Mehvish Rizvi ◽  
Sadia Farooq

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate the turnover intentions (TIs) among the academic faculty of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan through their motivation and commitment toward the concerned institution. It inspects the relationship of dimensions of motivation including an absence of motivation (AM), extrinsic motivation (ExM) and intrinsic motivation (InM) with the dimensions of commitment including affective commitment (AC), continuous commitment (CC) and normative commitment (NC) and finally the academic's TIs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used the self-determination theory (SDT), the theory of organizational commitment (OC) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) for its proposed model. A sample of 500 academics, working under higher education commission recognized public and private universities in Punjab Pakistan. A structural equation modeling (SEM) conducted for analysis using an algorithm, bootstrapping and blindfolding techniques.FindingsThe outcomes of the research are attention-grabbing, as no direct relationship has been observed between the dimensions of motivation and TIs except InM. The dimensions of commitments are mediating the relationship between motivation and TIs with high significance value. The results reveal a significant adverse effect on TIs through two dimensions of commitment.Research limitations/implicationsAs it is the case of a developing country like Pakistan therefore the finding cannot generalize to developed countries.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research may lead the policymakers and practitioners of HEIs and controlling body to retain their competent teachers.Social implicationsThis research can help the private sector to develop strategies about the retention of their competent teachers within the institutions that not just value the institution but also will be much beneficial for the students and society.Originality/valueThis paper is identifying how motivation is related to TIs and the role of commitment in it at HEIs. Still, no research has been conducted considering this avenue of SDT, OC and TPB


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-111
Author(s):  
Lenna V. Shulga ◽  
James A. Busser

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to deepen the understanding of consumers value collaboration with a service provider, specifically, how consumer self-determination affects value co-creation outcomes.Design/methodology/approachSelf-determination theory (SDT) need-based motivational factors were operationalized in co-creation as commitment to resources (autonomy), feedback (competence) and collectives (relatedness). A between–within factorial experimental design (3 × 2 × 4) was conducted using online scenarios depicting value co-creation in a destination resort setting. Respondents were randomly and equally assigned to strong and weak SDT factor conditions. Next, they were exposed to scenarios depicting four types of value co-creation: co-innovation, co-creation of marketing, co-creation of experience and co-recovery, followed by an assessment of their co-created value (CCV), well-being, satisfaction and service advantage perceptions.FindingsResults revealed that overall strong SDT conditions produce better outcomes. Consumers’ relatedness showed the strongest difference between strong and weak SDT conditions on the CCV dimensions. Further analysis revealed that autonomy and relatedness are crucial for collaboration. CCV meaningfulness is central for customers to improve their well-being, satisfaction and competitive advantage perceptions through co-creation.Originality/valueThe study contributes to a line of research on successful voluntary value co-creation processes between consumers and a company. The integration of service-dominant logic (SDL), axiology of value (AOV) and SDT, uniquely operationalized as commitment to resources as autonomy, feedback as competence and co-creation collective as relatedness offers a better understanding of how customers appraise the dimensions of CCV and outcomes of well-being, satisfaction and competitive advantage.


2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliette Stebbings ◽  
Ian M. Taylor ◽  
Christopher M. Spray ◽  
Nikos Ntoumanis

Embedded in the self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) framework, we obtained self-report data from 418 paid and voluntary coaches from a variety of sports and competitive levels with the aim of exploring potential antecedents of coaches’ perceived autonomy supportive and controlling behaviors. Controlling for socially desirable responses, structural equation modeling revealed that greater job security and opportunities for professional development, and lower work–life conflict were associated with psychological need satisfaction, which, in turn, was related to an adaptive process of psychological well-being and perceived autonomy support toward athletes. In contrast, higher work–life conflict and fewer opportunities for development were associated with a distinct maladaptive process of thwarted psychological needs, psychological ill-being, and perceived controlling interpersonal behavior. The results highlight how the coaching context may impact upon coaches’ psychological health and their interpersonal behavior toward athletes. Moreover, evidence is provided for the independence of adaptive and maladaptive processes within the self-determination theory paradigm.


2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Vansteenkiste ◽  
Athanasios Mouratidis ◽  
Willy Lens

In two cross-sectional studies we investigated whether soccer players’ well-being (Study 1) and moral functioning (Studies 1 and 2) is related to performance-approach goals and to the autonomous and controlling reasons underlying their pursuit. In support of our hypotheses, we found in Study 1 that autonomous reasons were positively associated with vitality and positive affect, whereas controlling reasons were positively related to negative affect and mostly unrelated to indicators of morality. To investigate the lack of systematic association with moral outcomes, we explored in Study 2 whether performance-approach goals or their underlying reasons would yield an indirect relation to moral outcomes through their association with players’ objectifying attitude—their tendency to depersonalize their opponents. Structural equation modeling showed that controlling reasons for performance-approach goals were positively associated with an objectifying attitude, which in turn was positively associated to unfair functioning. Results are discussed within the achievement goal perspective (Elliot, 2005) and self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000).


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Huei Chen ◽  
Min Tseng ◽  
Min-Jun Teng

AbstractRecognizing the right opportunities is a key capability in the entrepreneurial process, and creative entrepreneurs’ well-being at work can strengthen their inherent motivation to absorb external knowledge for desirable outcomes. Well-being at work is pleasant judgments of positive attitudes or pleasant experiences, but previous research mainly regarded well-being as an outcome variable. Therefore, this study considers the role of well-being as a mediator conceptualized in physical, psychological, and social well-being dimensions in the opportunity recognition process. Based upon the self-determination theory, this study examines how creative entrepreneurs’ motivation, including creative thinking, self-efficacy, and relatedness, influences their well-being and further affects opportunity recognition. Results from a sample of 234 creative entrepreneurs in Taiwan show that well-being positively mediates the effect of relatedness on opportunity recognition capabilities and absorptive capacity. Moreover, creative thinking and self-efficacy are associated with relatedness, and further with well-being. The key findings suggest that well-being plays a critical role to stimulate motivation for further capability building. This study extends the self-determination theory by linking entrepreneurial motivation with well-being in the entrepreneurial opportunity seeking process.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivien W. Forner ◽  
Michael Jones ◽  
Yoke Berry ◽  
Joakim Eidenfalk

Purpose Self-determination theory (SDT), offers a theoretical framework for enhancing employee motivation and stimulating positive outcomes such as commitment, well-being and engagement, in organizations. This paper aims to investigate the application of SDT among leaders and delineate practical managerial approaches for supporting basic psychological needs in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach Participants were 51 leaders who had personally applied SDT with their own followers. Data were collected via free-listing method and analysed to extrapolate examples of SDT-application that are both practically salient and aligned to theoretic tenets of SDT. Findings The findings reveal how SDT is operationalized by leaders to support basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness in the workplace. The SDT-informed management strategies are discussed in relation to the literature and alongside case scenarios to illustrate approaches for integrating elements of SDT into day-to-day management activities. Originality/value Despite extensive literature support for SDT, very little empirical attention has been paid to examining how the theory is applied, interpreted and/or used by practitioners in real world settings. This research is the first to draw on the lived-experience of practitioners who have applied SDT, contributes previously unexplored strategies for supporting workers’ basic psychological needs and responds to calls for SDT research to identify a broader range of managerial behaviours that support employee motivation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Zoltán Krajcsák

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discover the relationship between the extended organizational commitment model (EOCM) and self-determination theory (SDT). The author shows that specific dimensions of commitment can be associated with the forms of regulation and motivation. Design/methodology/approach Using literature analysis, the author sets the theoretical relationships between commitment and regulation (and motivation). The interrelated relationships are illustrated qualitatively by presenting case studies. Findings Like the regulation-based motivation scale, the dimensions of organizational commitment (OC) can be sorted and combined with regulation and motivation. The emotional-based OC dimensions (normative commitment as a sense of indebtedness (NC:HiSoI); normative commitment as a moral duty (NC:HiMD); affective commitment (AC)) are influenced by regulation and motivation. In the case of cost-based OC dimensions (deliberate commitment (DC); continuance commitment as a low perceived alternatives (CC:LoAlt); continuance commitment as high sacrifice (CC:HiSac)), the leaders’ motivational strategies are driven by their perceives of the employees’ OC. Commitment dimensions stemming from a degree of necessity are linked to lower levels of regulation, while commitment dimensions stemming from internal conviction are linked to the higher levels of regulation. Research limitations/implications The results also must be proved by quantitative researches later. The model presented in this study primarily supports the theoretical understanding of relationships, so its validity should be tested in different cultures, professions or employees with different qualifications and personalities in the future. Practical implications Significant resources can be saved for an organization if managers do not want to increase OC in general, rather only its one dimension, depending on the situation and goals, or if managers form their employees’ commitment profiles in a smaller team severally. However, in other cases, the employees’ commitment profiles set the useable motivational strategies, which call into question the suitability of universal motivation systems. Social implications From the point of view of employees, the synergy between regulation (and motivation) and OC contributes to the improvement of their psychological well-being and means more efficient use of resources for organizations. Originality/value The study shows the hierarchy of dimensions of the EOCM and its relationship with regulations in the SDT.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiseon Ahn ◽  
Ki-Joon Back

PurposeThis study aims to apply the perspective of self-determination theory to investigate the effects of needs satisfaction on customers’ emotional bond and perceived fit with the integrated resort brand.Design/methodology/approachTo provide empirical evidence, this study uses an online survey analyzed with structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results suggest how integrated resort experiences enhance the needs satisfaction for autonomy, competence and relatedness, and that customers are likely to have an attachment and compatibility with the brand. This study also documents that strong attachments and compatibility are predictive of behavioral intention.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides a theoretical perspective through self-determination theory for explaining how needs satisfaction impacts customers’ brand-related attitude, which can be used to guide future studies. Insights from this research will be used to design and evaluate customers’ experience in tourism and hospitality industry.Originality/valueAlthough the concept of needs satisfaction has studied on the employees’ behavior, a scarcity of research has been offered to explain customers’ behavior. Thus, this study makes a significant contribution to the hospitality and tourism research by testing the needs satisfaction as an antecedent of customers’ brand-related behavior.


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