ABSTRACT

This chapter describes work-related performance and motivation from the perspective of time. Starting from the "temporal footprint" of work, it argues that a shift in focus and approach is needed to understand how performance and motivation unfold over time. The chapter discusses questions regarding the temporal characteristics of performance and motivation, and reviews what is known and remains to be investigated in the future. It describes performance and motivation as individual phenomena. Of course, individuals perform their work roles in the context of social structures, such as organizations and teams, and their actions will typically be influenced by and have an impact on other people. The chapter focuses on temporal research and includes only studies that can help in understanding how performance and motivation relate to the temporal footprint of work. This choice has several implications. The chapter reviews the evidence that the literature currently provides regarding the exact form of performance and motivation trajectories, and the connections between them.