Forget about the money? A latent profile analysis of calling and work motivation in Chinese employees

Purpose Calling is typically associated with more intrinsic than extrinsic work motivation. This could give the impression that employees a calling do not need or care about external rewards. To deepen understanding of relationship between and motivation, purpose this paper to test how combined different types motivation such combinations affect outcomes differentially. Design/methodology/approach The authors applied latent profile analysis among Chinese diverse occupations ( N = 1,290), identify profiles their relations outcomes, assessed four months later. Findings Four emerged: externally motivated low calling, moderately highly calling. Employees weaker stronger callings indicated being extrinsically for work. in exhibited highest job satisfaction, lowest cynicism turnover intentions, followed by profile, profile. Research limitations/implications findings imply strong rewards also benefit from incentives Originality/value study first explore differential Moreover, offer insights regarding under-researched notion predict differently.