Investigating motivation and work performance in a non-profit organisation: The mediating role of meaningful work

Abstract

Non-profit organisations (NPOs) depend on employee motivation and commitment to achieve their social mandates despite limited financial incentives. This study investigated the relationship between motivation and work performance, examining the mediating role of meaningful work in this relationship among employees in a selected NPO in South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, with data collected from 288 employees across six provinces using standardised questionnaires measuring motivation, meaningful work and performance. The descriptive analysis indicated that the employees were intrinsically motivated (M = 3.80) and experienced meaningful work (M = 3.94) as their primary drivers. The correlation analysis showed strong positive correlations among the variables. The motivations were significantly related to work performance (r = .65, p < .001) and meaningful work (r = .69, p < .001), and meaningful work showed a positive correlation with work performance (r = .63, p < .001). The mediation analysis indicated that meaningful work partially mediates the relationship between motivation and performance (indirect effect = 0.255). This implies that employees who experience purpose at work are more likely to convert their motivation into effective performance outcomes. These findings illustrate that individuals who perceive work as meaningful tend to convert their motivations into improved work performance. The study's conclusions thus support the idea that meaningful work and employee motivation reinforce each other as bipartisan factors in employee effectiveness. Moreover, meaningful work serves as an inner psychological conduit, providing motivation and a channel for effective work performance. It highlights the importance of fostering purpose, autonomy and competence in NPOs to sustain motivation, enhance performance and promote long-term organisational effectiveness.