Three Roles of Language in Motivation Theory
Abstract
Motivation theories, when viewed from the perspective of one versed in organizational communication, focus on language that informs and that reduces worker uncertainty. An extension of current theories to include the impact of three kinds of speech acts—uncertainty-reducing acts (perlocutionary), meaning-making acts (locutionary), and human-bonding acts (illocutionary)—on motivation is proposed.
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Employees can develop a sense of trust from expressed consideration and empathy by leadership.
“Additionally, employees can develop a sense of trust from expressed consideration and empathy by leadership (Sullivan, 1988).”
From Fostering Employee Trust via Effective Supervisory Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Through the Lens of Motivating Language Theory (2022) · cites this paper as Sullivan, 1988
Cites
Austin, J. L. (1975) · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198245537.001.0001 · Cited by 21,496 · see citing works
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Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1975) · Journal of Applied Psychology · doi:10.1037/h0076546 · Cited by 7,246 · see citing works
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Hackman, J. R., & Lawler, E. E. (1971) · Journal of Applied Psychology · doi:10.1037/h0031152 · Cited by 2,442 · see citing works
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Men, L. R., Qin, Y. S., & Jin, J. (2022) · International Journal of Business Communication · doi:10.1177/23294884211020491 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
“In particular, a versatile strategic communication model that includes the use of meaning-making, empathetic, and direction-giving language should guide leadership communication practice which in turn will generate positive employee outcomes (Sullivan, 1988).”
BackgroundInfluentialWibowo, A., & Paramita, W. (2022) · Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies · doi:10.1177/15480518211068735 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
E-leadership effectiveness in virtual teams: Motivating language perspective.
Fan, K.-T., Chen, Y.-H., Wang, C.-W., & Chen, M. (2014) · Industrial Management & Data Systems · doi:10.1108/imds-07-2013-0294 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Jian, G., & Dalisay, F. (2018) · International Journal of Business Communication · doi:10.1177/2329488415594157 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
- Authors
- Sullivan, J. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Washington (US)
- Corresponding author
- Sullivan, Jeremiah J.
- Venue
- The Academy of Management Review
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 1988-01
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 104
- ISSN
- 0363-7425 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2018230150
- Cited by
- 267
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 26 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Human Behavior and Motivation
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management Theory and Practice
- Keywords
- motivation theories, language, speech acts, uncertainty reduction, perlocutionary acts, locutionary act, illocutionary acts, meaning-making, human connection, organizational communication, employee motivation
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