Motivating child welfare case managers: An application and extension of feedback information theory

No empirical studies in the child welfare literature have examined how job characteristics impact work motivation. The present study addresses this conspicuous research gap by surveying 419 county-based child welfare case managers across the state of New York. As predicted by feedback information theory, work motivation was enhanced by instrumental feedback and reduced when job complexity was introduced as a moderator. Consistent with the challenge–hindrance stress model, job control positively influenced job complexity's affects on the instrumental feedback–work motivation relationship. Findings advance the child welfare literature by demonstrating that the motivational effects of instrumental feedback are both conditional and dynamic.

► The child welfare literature ignores the impact of job characteristics on motivation.
► 419 county-based child welfare case managers from the state of New York were surveyed.
► A significant positive main effect for instrumental feedback on motivation was noted.
► A significant negative feedback–job complexity interaction on motivation was noted.
► Job control positively influenced the feedback–complexity interaction on motivation.