Self-determination theory in the workplace: the evolution, present, and beyond

Work motivation has been a central topic for over a century with self-determination theory (SDT) shaping its trajectory. This review aims to (1) provide a comprehensive overview of the state of work-related SDT research and (2) develop expansions of SDT to pave the way for future research. To achieve our first goal, we leveraged co-word bibliometric science mapping to analyze 1,192 articles, resulting in six clusters belonging to three overarching themes: satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, motivation quality and determinants, and motivation-relevant individual and organizational factors. Temporal analyses suggest a progressive trajectory characterized by central tenets that have expanded and integrated over time, with evidence of recent stagnation. For our second goal, a research agenda, summarized in a model of self-determination theory for work environments, integrates individual factors and four broad approaches: horizontal and vertical expansions, consideration of alternative work arrangements, and technological changes as drivers and boundary conditions.