New Theoretical Perspectives on Job Satisfaction and Motivation: Challenging Herzberg and Linking with Professional Development

This theoretical paper presents two original perspectives on job satisfaction and motivation: a critique of Herzberg’s (1968) motivation-hygiene theory; and a new conception of job satisfaction and motivation as components of professional development.

In the 1960s Herzberg published his motivation-hygiene theory. Although widely criticised, this is generally considered a seminal study and is much cited in academic texts. In this ECER symposium paper I draw upon data from a study of English teachers’ morale, job satisfaction and motivation to identify conceptually based flaws in the theory. These flaws are related to what I refer to as the ambiguity of job satisfaction: that it relates both to what is satisfactory and what is satisfying.

The second part of the paper presents my original conceptualisation of professional development, which deconstructs it into 11 components or dimensions, one of which is the motivational component. Thus, I argue, motivation, job satisfaction and morale should be considered components of professional development.