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Module Code - Title:

PM6442 - THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SUSTAINABLE WORK PERFORMANCE

Year Last Offered:

2026/7

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

3

Lab

0

Tutorial

0

Other

0

Private

12

Credits

9

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

The aims and objectives of this module are as follows: 1. To introduce key theories and contemporary trends in managing performance and work motivation. 2. To consider and develop an understanding of the types and forms of work motivation and performance through a focus on underlying models and theories, applied methodologies and measurement instruments. 3. To develop an understanding and appreciation of the multi-level factors that affect the motivation and performance of workers in their work environment. 4. To develop an appreciation of ways to motivate performance including interventions across different levels within organisations.  

Syllabus:

1. Introduction: Conceptualising work motivation and performance as multi-level. 2. Performance and Motivation: The Organisation's Perspective: High performance work systems; Incentives and reward systems; Values and expectancy; psychological contract; Performance and inclusion (humanitarian WOP, disabilities, minorities, gender gap). 3. Performance and Motivation: The Manager's Perspective: Feedback and attributions; Managing difficult conversations; Goal Theories and self-efficacy; Coaching for performance and development. 4. . Performance and Motivation: The Interpersonal Perspective: Team Motivation and performance; Voice and silence; Trust and fairness; Emotions and emotional labour; Civility. 5. Performance and Motivation: The Individual's Perspective: Self-concept & identity; Needs and motivational types; Dynamic performance, Self-regulation & effort regulation. 6. Emerging content areas: Innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship 7. Digitalisation, AI and occupational transformation. 

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate knowledge about performance and motivation across multiple levels (e.g., organisational, managerial, interpersonal, individual), including typical problems, main theoretical approaches, typical concepts and methods, forms of practice, and ethical aspects. 2. Critically evaluate empirical research on performance and motivation from a multi-level perspective. 3. Synthesise and critically analyse evidence, core concepts and theories, and different approaches to work motivation and performance, and assess their applicability for a variety of performance related problems. 4. Analyse the impact of emerging contextual demands such as: sustainability of employment (including precarious work), diversity and inclusion, digitalisation, and occupational transformation, on work motivation and performance 5. Identify, discriminate amongst, and employ appropriate tools, techniques, and interventions (e.g., coaching, feedback), to solve motivation and performance related issues in organisational settings. 6. Diagnose workplace motivation and performance problems; recommend, implement, and evaluate appropriate evidence-based interventions to address them. 7. Demonstrate effective professional competencies to investigate and solve individual and organisational issues pertaining to work motivation and performance across multiple levels.  

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 8. Develop an appreciation for the complex factors determining and influencing employee motivation and performance in organisations. 9. Challenge assumptions regarding prevailing wisdom about motivation and performance in organisations. 10. Apply professional attitudes and values such as proactivity, adaptability, collaboration, empathic and ethical values, self-confidence, and self-directiveness, to solve motivation and performance related issues in organisational settings. 

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module provides an opportunity for students to develop knowledge, skills and competencies for managing and optimising of performance in organisations in an open and supportive learning environment. We adopt a student-centered approach to learning, and champion research-led and applied teaching strategies, encouraging advancement of new knowledge and participation in critical discussion and debate. The UL graduate attributes of "agile", "articulate", "courageous", "curious" and "responsible", will be delivered upon through a combination of personal immersion in lectures, peer learning, individual and group projects, sustainable intervention design, self-reflection and personal development, and sustainability advocacy. This module will be delivered over the course of twelve weeks using both "asynchronous" and classroom-based learning. Each week, learning materials will be uploaded to the learning management system. This material is "asynchronous", which means that students can access this material in their own time, and at their own pace. It is expected that students will have reviewed and studied this weekly material before they attend face-to-face lectures and workshops. Face-to-face lecture and workshops happen in real time, in the classroom, every week. Students will participate in the weekly discussions, exercises and question/answer sessions and share experiences, thoughts and opinions on the topics being reviewed.  

Prime Texts:

Brough, P., Gardiner, E. & Daniels, K. (Eds.) (2022) Handbook of Management and Employment Practices. , Springer Nature Switzerland.
Gagne, M. (2014) The Oxford handbook of work engagement, motivation and self-determination theory. , Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Whitmore, J. (2017) Coaching for performance: The Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership , London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Palmer, S. & Whybrow, A. (Eds.) (2019) Handbook of coaching psychology: A guide for practitioners. , London: Routledge.
Latham, G.P. (2012) Work motivation: History, theory, research and practice. , Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Other Relevant Texts:

Kimsey-House, H., Kimsey-House, K. Sandahl, P. & Whitworth, L. (2011) Co-active coaching: Changing business, Transforming lives , Boston: Nicholas Brealey Publishing
Buchanan, D. A. & McCalman, J. (2018) High Performance Work Systems: The Digital Experience. , London: Routledge
Elliot, A. J. & Dweck, C. S. (Eds.) (2005) Handbook of competence and motivation. , New York: The Guilford Press.
Kanfer, R., Chen, G. & Prithard, R. D. (2008) Work motivation: Past, present and future. , New York: Routledge.
Parker, S. K. & Bindl, U. K. (2017) Proactivity at work: Making thing happen in organizations. , New York: Routledge
Shah, J. Y. & Gardner, W. L. (2008) Handbook of motivation science. , New York: The Guilford Press.
Van Veldhoven, M. & Peccei, R. (2015) Well-being and performance at work: The role of context. , Hove: Psychology Press
Furnham, A. & MscRae, I. (2017) Motivating and Performance: A guide to motivating a diverse workforce. , London: Kogan Page Limited.

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN WORK AND ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN WORK AND ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN WORK, ORGANIZATIONAL AND PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Spring

Module Leader:

Generic PRS