ABSTRACT
What motivates us to work? This is a question that has engaged humankind since the earliest philosophers. Despite the interest in this fundamental question, there have been almost as many answers as there have been thinkers who have considered the issue. Even consensus on a definition of work motivation has been elusive, probably because the concept is so complex. Flow experience (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975), one of the most original constructs developed in psychology during the previous century, can partially help us answer such a challenging question. Its positive and rewarding features, which include deep concentration, involvement, and enjoyable absorption in an activity, may shed light on at least one of the driving forces leading people to invest massive amounts of energies and resources in the work domain – namely, intrinsic motivation.
