ORCID

0009-0001-3778-3358

Keywords

cash rewards; non-cash rewards; reward distribution; employee effort

Abstract

An important component of the total compensation that employees receive is employee rewards. Informing companies on how to best utilize their limited resources to reward and motivate their employees is a critical aspect of management accounting research. In Study 1, I examine employee perceptions and usage of various types of non-cash rewards vis-à-vis cash rewards. Using survey methods, I find employees self-report cash rewards as more motivating than all other types of non-cash rewards. I find employees report no greater likelihood of spending cash rewards or gift card rewards on hedonic purchases; however, when spending any type of reward on a hedonic purchase, the employee reports the reward as more motivating. Additionally, I compare the planning and savings behavior of directly receiving cash and gift card rewards with points-to-rewards. I find employees report greater planning for the use of the reward when receiving points-to-rewards versus gift card rewards, but similar planning behavior versus cash rewards. Further, I find employees report a greater frequency of saving towards larger purchases when receiving points-to-reward versus cash and gift card rewards. In Study 2, I examine how the distribution of gift card rewards (direct versus points-to-rewards) influences effort. Using a multi-period experiment, I find that points-to-rewards distribution has a more positive effect on effort than direct distribution. However, given sample size limitations, I do not find that this effect occurs through employees construing information at a higher level and a greater likelihood of making a hedonic purchase with the reward as I predict. Together, these studies provide insight into how companies should design their incentive programs to efficiently and effectively motivate their employees.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Fall

Committee Chair

Kelly, Khim

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Business

Department

Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029016

Language

English

Release Date

12-15-2024

Access Status

Dissertation

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

PDF accessibility verified using Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker

Share

COinS