Does inappropriate quality control demotivate workers? A critical review

The construction industry requires quality control and regulation of its contingent, unpredictable environment. However, taking too much control from workers can disempower and demotivate. In the 1970s Deci and Ryan developed selfdetermination theory which states that in order to be intrinsically motivated, three components are necessary - competence, autonomy and relatedness. This study aims to examine the way in which the three ‘nutriments’ for intrinsic motivation may be undermined by heavy-handed quality control. A critical literature review analyses construction, psychological and management research regarding the control and motivation of workers, using self-determination theory as a framework. Initial findings show that quality management systems do not always work as designed. Workers perceive that unnecessary, wasteful and tedious counter checking of their work implies that they are not fully trusted by management to work without oversight. Control of workers and pressure for continual improvement may lead to resistance and deception. Controlling mechanisms can break the link between performance and satisfaction, reducing motivation and paradoxically reducing the likelihood of the quality they intend to promote. This study will lead to a greater understanding of control and motivation, facilitating further research into improvements in the application of quality control to maintain employee motivation.