Decent Work and Work Motivation in Lawyers: An empirical research

Abstract

This study aimed for better understanding of the effect of decent work on work motivation in lawyers in Portugal and Brazil (N = 611). The Decent Work Questionnaire (DWQ) and Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale (MWMS) were applied. The results of analysis of the canonical correlations showed the presence of two operating mechanisms (two significant canonical correlations). They suggest that fulfilling-and-productive-work is associated positively with intrinsic-and-identified-work-motivation and negatively with amotivation. It was also observed that an adequate working-time/workload is negatively associated with material-extrinsic-motivation (such as money). Summarizing, the results suggest that decent work, especially some of its dimensions, has an important role in promoting work motivation through two main mechanisms, the first one called 'worthy working life as part of being a citizen in society' and the second one called 'contextual life comfort and committed effort'. Limitations and practical implications conclude this article. Trabalho Digno e Motivação para o Trabalho em Advogados: Uma pesquisa empírica Resumo O presente estudo objetivou uma melhor compreensão dos efeitos do trabalho digno sobre a motivação para o trabalho em advogados de Portugal e do Brasil (N = 611). Foram aplicados o Questionário de Trabalho Digno e a Escala Multidimensional de Motivação para o Trabalho. Os resultados da análise das correlações canônicas evidenciaram dois mecanismos significativos atuantes. Elas sugerem que o trabalho realizante e produtivo está associado positivamente às motivações para o trabalho intrínseca e identificada e negativamente à desmotivação. Adicionalmente, observou-se que um adequado tempo/carga de trabalho se encontra negativamente associado à motivação extrínseca material (como dinheiro). Em resumo, os resultados sugerem que o trabalho digno, especialmente algumas de suas dimensões, tem um papel importante na promoção da motivação para o trabalho através de dois mecanismos principais, designados: 'vida de trabalho digna como parte de ser um cidadão na sociedade' e o segundo 'uma situação de vida confortável e esforços empenhados'. As limitações e implicações práticas concluem este artigo. Trabajo Decente y Motivación para el Trabajo de los Abogados: Una investigación empírica Resumen El presente estudio objetivó una mejor comprensión de los efectos del trabajo decente sobre la motivación para el trabajo de los abogados de Portugal y Brasil (N = 611). Se aplicaron el Cuestionario-del-Trabajo-Digno y la Escala-Multidimensional-de-Motivación-para-el-Trabajo. Los resultados del análisis de las correlaciones canónicas evidenció la presencia de dos mecanismos actuantes significativos. Estos sugieren que el trabajo-realizante-y-productivo está asociado positivamente a las motivaciones-intrínseca-e-identificada para el trabajo y negativamente a la desmotivación. Adicionalmente, se observó que un tiempo/carga-de-trabajo-adecuado se encuentra negativamente asociado a la motivación-extrínseca-material (como el...

The Decent Work Questionnaire: Psychometric properties of the Italian version

“…They empirically support the role of DW as an antecedent of work motivation and psychological capital ); DW's relationships with work motivation, work engagement, and burnout in physicians (Ferraro et al, 2020); studying DW as an antecedent of lawyers' work motivation (Ferraro et al, 2017); the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between DW and work motivation in knowledge workers and, recently, Sheng and Zhou (2021) tested the role of DW on voice behavior.…”

“…The development of theoretical approaches about DW perceptions will allow a better understanding of how its dimensions already under study are integrated and interact. In addition to internal functioning, represented by its seven dimensions, new studies that test the interactions of the DW concept with new variables (as previously tested by Ferraro et al, ,2017Ferraro et al, , , 2020 will enrich the nomological network of the concept (Cronbach & Meehl, 1955;Ree & Carretta, 2018). Broadening our perspectives, a multidisciplinary confrontation with economic, legal, and/or political perspectives would appear to be very fruitful in deepening our knowledge of the social issues around decent work and would bring more fully into fruition the usefulness of the DWQ.…”

Living wages, decent work, and need satisfaction: an integrated perspective

“…Empirically, the questionnaire showed good reliability and validity in a validation study with knowledge workers (Ferraro et al, 2018). However, the measure has to date almost exclusively been applied to workers in privileged occupations, such as lawyers (Ferraro et al, 2017), physicians (Ferraro et al, 2020), and academic personnel (Graça et al, 2021). This is in stark contrast to the central aim of the decent work agenda (ILO, 1999(ILO, , 2008 to make decent work accessible for all individuals.…”

Composite Indicators to Measure Quality of Working Life in Europe: A Systematic Review

“…Ferraro et al (2018) describe it as a concept created for promoting economic and social human development in the formal and informal economy. In other words, decent work is related to meaningful work and ethics that ensure fundamental values and principles at work through social dialogue among those involved in the decision-making processes regarding that work (Ferraro et al, 2017). The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) states that the decent work concept is similar in spirit but broader in the scope of needs that it addresses than job quality (Eurofound, 2012).…”