Results control, need frustration, and amotivation

Drawing upon Self-Determination Theory and the findings from an empirical study of researchers at a Swedish university, this paper focuses on the relationship between results control and amotivation. Specifically, it identifies and theorizes six characteristics of results control systems that tend to frustrate two basic psychological needs of individuals, namely their needs to feel autonomous and competent. Moreover, it shows how it is the frustration of these very needs that leads to amotivation. In doing so, the findings contribute to existing management control research not only through identifying important characteristics of a control system that can lead to need frustration, but also through theorizing when and why such characteristics can lead to amotivation.