Abstract

Not all tasks are created equal and the study of motivation at work needs to address this complexity. Thus, we investigated the role of selfconcordance and task prototypicality in explaining task-level motivational processes at work. In doing so we propose and test a re-conceptualization of self-concordance through goal hierarchy. Data were obtained from two field studies with different professional groups: teachers and engineers. Hypotheses were tested using multi-level structural equation modelling. Results indicated that self- concordant tasks are associated with high selfset standards and goal attainment; furthermore, we found that task prototypicality acted as a boundary condition, such that the motivational effect of self-concordance was strongest for low prototypicality tasks. Overall, this investigation shed light on the mechanisms explaining the prioritizaton and motivation of multiple tasks individuals juggle while at work