Dispositional influences on pay preferences

This study tested whether individual measures of intrinsic and extrinsic mo tivation and positive and negative affect predict a job seeker's attraction to organizations offering merit pay, skill-based pay, or broad banding. In trinsic motivation was found to predict a decision for merit pay while extr insic motivation did not. Hierarchical regression analysis results suggeste d that job seekers who were intrinsically motivated or experienced positive affect were attracted to pay plans that offer high levels of personal invo lvement. Individuals who were extrinsically motivated or experienced negati ve affect were attracted to pay plans that offer higher than average starti ng salaries.