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
Identifier
DP0029016
Language
English
Release Date
12-15-2024
Access Status
Dissertation
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
McCullough, Aaron, "Two Studies Examining the Effects of Cash Rewards and Non-Cash Rewards on Employee Perceptions and Motivation" (2024). Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024. 51.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2024/51
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