Ability, Motivation and Opportunity theory: a formula for employee performance?

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version
Author(s)
Kellner, Ashlea
Cafferkey, Kenneth
Townsend, Keith
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)

Townsend, Keith

Cafferkey, Kenneth

McDermott, Aoife

Dundon, Tony

Date
2019
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Ability, Motivation and Opportunity (AMO) theory has been adopted extensively to potentially explain the complex relationship between how people are managed and subsequent performance outcomes. Specifically, the theory suggests some combination of an individual’s ability (A), motivation (M) and opportunities (O) can give us a measure of an individual’s performance (P) (expressed as AMO = P). AMO theory is concerned with individual characteristics as independent variables, however, in its application in the HRM field, researchers have supplemented these independent variables for HR practices and policies, resulting in at least two different incarnations of the AMO model. Further compounding this issue, AMO theory has seldom seen empirical testing, and there is significant lack of consistency in definition and selection of variables. In this chapter, the authors develop an argument that AMO theory is poorly defined and tested, and its appeal is that it can be adapted to suit almost any HRM study.

Journal Title
Conference Title
Book Title

Elgar Introduction to Theories of Human Resources and Employment Relations

Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© The Author(s) 2019. This is the author-manuscript version of the paper. Please refer to the publisher's website or contact the author(s) for more information.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Business and Management

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Kellner, A; Cafferkey, K; Townsend, K, Ability, Motivation and Opportunity theory: a formula for employee performance?, Elgar Introduction to Theories of Human Resources and Employment Relations, 2019, pp. 311-323

Collections