ESC

Clarivate

JCR Category: Business in ESCI edition

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues Open access
Journal Impact FactorTM (2025) 1.5 Q3
Journal Citation IndicatorTM (2025) 0.25 Q4
Received: 2025-05-18  |  Accepted: 2025-08-06  |  Published: 2025-09-30

Title

Employee motivation in current literature: a systematic search


Abstract

The main objective of this article is to systematise approaches to motivation in current professional literature and identify key factors influencing employee motivation, thereby contributing to both theoretical understanding and practical improvement of human resource management in organisations. To this end, a systematic literature review of professional articles published in the Web of Science database in 2024 is conducted, using the VOSviewer programme to analyse and visualise key concepts and the relationships between them. The results show that employee motivation to enhance work performance is mainly influenced by quality support and leadership from direct superiors, autonomy in decision-making, ethical leadership, the integration of environmental values into human resource management (commonly referred to as green HRM), and the effective use of digital tools and technologies. The analysis also confirms that two main theoretical models dominate the current professional literature, namely the AMO (Ability, Motivation, Opportunity) model and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).


Keywords

motivation, employees, human resources, model AMO, systematic literature search


JEL classifications

J24 , M12 , O15


URI

http://jssidoi.org/jesi/article/1354


DOI


Pages

437-452


Funding

This paper has been prepared with support with the support of the VSTE Institute of Corporate Strategy, Department of Human Resource Management. The paper ID: IDUPS25010. This paper was prepared in the framework of the project CZ.02.02.XX/00/23_022/0009148 „VŠTE development – human resources development and improvement of teaching quality“.

This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Authors

Kmecová, Iveta
Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic https://www.vstecb.cz
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Jíchová, Kateřina
Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic https://www.vstecb.cz
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Journal title

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues

Volume

13


Number

1


Issue date

September 2025


Issue DOI


ISSN

ISSN 2345-0282 (online)


Publisher

VšĮ Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, Vilnius, Lithuania

Cited

Google Scholar

Article views & downloads

HTML views: 2032  |  PDF downloads: 1385

References


Abdi, A., & Rahman, N. (2024). Unlocking the Impact of Ethical Leadership on Employee Loyalty and Motivation: The Mediating Role of Trust in Public Sector Leadership. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 13(2), 413–431. https://doi.org/10.33844/ijol.2024.60422

Search via ReFindit


Alshammari, F., & Asaari, M. (2024). Unveiling the Nexus: Pro-Environmental Behavior, Green Abilities, Motivation, and Opportunities Impacting Employee Performance. Pacific Business Review International, 17(1), 104–125. https://www.pbr.co.in/2024/2024_month/July/9.pdf

Search via ReFindit


Angelova, M. (2024). Business Organization Creativity—A Key Indicator of Innovation Readiness. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 12(2), 10–30. https://doi.org/10.9770/x8527586243

Search via ReFindit


Benítez-Núñez, C., Díaz-Díaz, N., Ballesteros-Rodríguez, J., & de Saá-Pérez, P. (2024). Explaining academic researchers’ performance from the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) perspective. Studies in Higher Education, 49(12), 2423–2440. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2307965

Search via ReFindit


Caha, Z., & Urban, J. (2023). The Efficacy of „Soft" Skills Training and Development: Qualitative Survey of the Experiences of Czech Businesses. Ad Alta-Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 13(2), 44–49.

Search via ReFindit


Chanda, P. (2024). Motivating GIG Workers: A Way to Achieve Sustainable Business (P. Jyothi, S. Kalagnanam, S. Sengupta, & B. Charumathi, Ed.; WOS:001307365500030; s. 436–444). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003487180-33

Search via ReFindit


Faezah, J., Yusliza, M., Chaudhary, R., Ramayah, T., & Fawehinmi, O. (2024). Green human resource management and employee ecological behaviour: The mediating role of green commitment. Social Responsibility Journal, 20(6), 1157–1176. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-07-2023-0399

Search via ReFindit


Faezah, J., Yusliza, M., Ramayah, T., Jabbour, C., & Kot, S. (2024). Green human resource management and employee ecological behaviour: Testing green culture and green satisfaction as parallel mediators in Malaysian higher education. Corporate Social Responsibility And Environmental Management, 31(5), 4280–4297. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2800

Search via ReFindit


Farooq, K., Wahyuningtas, R., AlWadi, B., Yusliza, M., & Muhammad, Z. (2024). Do green HRM practices influence employee ecological behaviour? Polish Journal of Management Studies, 30(1), 82–97. https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2024.30.1.05

Search via ReFindit


Gagné, M., & Hewett, R. (2024). Assumptions about Human Motivation have Consequences for Practice. Journal of Management Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.13092

Search via ReFindit


Guan, X., Zheng, Y., Zhang, L., & Liu, X. (2025). The impact of service robot compatibility on hospitality employee learning behaviors: A transformative learning perspective. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 34(2), 257–280. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2024.2425670

Search via ReFindit


Gustari, I., & Widodo, W. (2024). The mediation effect of workplace spirituality and proactive behavior on job performance: ethical leadership perspective. Quality-Access to Success, 25(201), 204–214. https://doi.org/10.47750/QAS/25.201.22

Search via ReFindit


He, Q., Fu, J., Wu, W., & Feng, S. (2024). „Thriving at work" or not? Research on the effects of performance pressure based on achievement motivation theory and two-factor theory. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 39(2), 146–161. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-04-2023-0218

Search via ReFindit


Ismail, A., Asha’ari, M., Foboy, S., Hanafi, W., Nor, A., & Husin, T. (2024). Moving up trainees’ motivation for using on-job training: relationship between leaders’ support and trainees’ motivation for learning. South East Asian Journal of Management, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.21002/seam.v18i1.1475

Search via ReFindit


Issaoui, F., Mashari, A., & Jamee, A. (2024). The Impact of Corporate Culture on Education and Training Environment Success: Application to the Case of Saudi Universities. International Journal of Teacher Education And Professional Development, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.4018/IJTEPD.347379

Search via ReFindit


Jufrizen, Muslih, Gultom, D., & Sari, M. (2024). Antecedent Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Service Quality for Private Higher Education Administrative Personnel in Indonesia. Quality-Access to Success, 25(201), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.47750/QAS/25.201.29

Search via ReFindit


Kurowska-Pysz, J., Faiyaz, U., & Batool, M. (2024). Role of Green Management Information Systems in Employees’ Green Attitude, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intentions: An Empirical Investigation. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 13, 99–118. https://doi.org/10.33844/ijol.2024.60418

Search via ReFindit


Li, X., Chen, J., & Fu, H. (2024). The roles of empathy and motivation in creativity in design thinking. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 34(4), 1305–1324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-023-09869-z

Search via ReFindit


Liu, X., Lv, B., & Zhou, Q. (2024). Why do Employees (not) Support enterprise digital transformation? a transactional theory of stress perspective. Group & Organization Management. https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011241301811

Search via ReFindit


Liu, Y., Zhang, F., Li, B., Liu, P., Liu, S., & Sun, Q. (2024). Believing in the power of belief: A study on the formation mechanism of innovative behavior from the perspectives of intrinsic and extrinsic spiritual inspiration. European Journal of Innovation Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-06-2023-0488

Search via ReFindit


Mesri, G., Sameri, M., & Keyhan, J. (2024). The relationship between active work behaviors, work values, transformational and interactive leadership style, and work engagement: The mediating role of innovation culture and autonomous motivation. Current Psychology, 43(28), 23916–23930. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06088-0

Search via ReFindit


Paresashvili, N., Okruashvili, N., Tikishvili, M., & Chitaladze, K. (2024). Impact of job satisfaction on the labour productivity of healthcare personnel. Economics Ecology Socium, 8(3), 40–54. https://doi.org/10.61954/2616-7107/2024.8.3-4

Search via ReFindit


Qamar, F., Bhutto, N., Nisar, S., Channa, K., Ghumro, N., Hussain, S., & Khaliq, M. (2024). Does learning organization create workplace happiness of educators? A post-pandemic perspective. Human Systems Management, 43(4), 513–532. https://doi.org/10.3233/HSM-220175

Search via ReFindit


Samasonok, K. (2024). Employee turnover: causes and retention strategies. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 11(3), 134–148. https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2024.11.3(9)

Search via ReFindit


Selesho, R., & Matjie, M. (2024). Exploring turnover intentions of employees at a South African government education council. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 22. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v22i0.2251

Search via ReFindit


Spieler, K. (2024). Navigating Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness: Insights from Middle Managers in Norway. Administrative Sciences, 14(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14050102

Search via ReFindit


Stachová, K., Stacho, Z., Samalik, P., & Sekan, F. (2024). The Impact of E-HRM Tools on Employee Engagement. Administrative Sciences, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14110303

Search via ReFindit


Türkes, M., Stancioiu, A., & Banacu, C. (2024). The intention to use chatgpt in office work in romania: between utility and hedonic motivation. Amfiteatru Economic, 26(67), 783–800. https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2024/67/7837/783

Search via ReFindit


Wu, Y., Rasheed, M., Chang, Y., Murtza, M., & Peng, M. (2024). Inclusive leadership, service innovation, and knowledge sharing: The roles of intrinsic motivation and sleep quality. Knowledge Management Research & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2024.2409797

Search via ReFindit


Xing, S., Zainal, S., & Iqbal, Q. (2024). Servant leadership, environmental passion and workplace green behavior in higher education institutions. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i3.3290

Search via ReFindit


Yildiz, K., Akoglu, H., Emir, E., Angosto, S., & García-Fernández. (2024). The perceived effect of digital transformation and resultant empowerment on job performance of employees in the fitness family business. Journal of Family Business Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFBM-02-2024-0038

Search via ReFindit


Zhen, M., & Ding, W. (2024). Empowering employees for digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: A case study. South African Journal of Business Management, 55(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v55i1.4207

Search via ReFindit


Zhu, J., Luo, Y., & Wang, H. (2024). The effect of digital leadership on employees’ radical creativity. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 34(3), 222–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/14330237.2024.2363634

Search via ReFindit


Zychová, K., Fejfarová, M., & Jindrová, A. (2024). Job autonomy as a driver of job satisfaction. Central European Business Review, 13(2), 117–140. https://doi.org/10.18267/j.cebr.347

Search via ReFindit