Intrinsic Motivation as a Moderator in the Relationship between Job Motivation and Organizational Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Tehran’s Public Transport

Introduction: Organizational entrepreneurship is vital for public sector organizations to enhance innovation and service quality in dynamic environments. This study investigates the effect of job motivation on organizational entrepreneurship, with intrinsic motivation as a moderating factor, within Tehran’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, a critical public transportation infrastructure facing operational and service challenges. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, surveying ۱۲۰ permanent BRT employees selected via simple random sampling. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires: Hackman and Oldham’s (۱۹۷۵) Job Motivation Survey, Tierney et al.’s (۱۹۹۹) Intrinsic Motivation for Innovation, and Hill’s (۲۰۰۳) Organizational Entrepreneurship Scale. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. Findings: The results confirmed that job motivation significantly and positively influences organizational entrepreneurship. Intrinsic motivation moderates this relationship, amplifying the effect of job motivation on entrepreneurial behaviors. These findings align with Self-Determination Theory and Social Exchange Theory, highlighting the role of motivational dynamics in public sector innovation. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of fostering job and intrinsic motivation to enhance organizational entrepreneurship in public transportation systems. It offers practical implications for BRT managers to promote autonomy and training to drive innovation, contributing to improved service delivery and operational efficiency.

کلیدواژه ها:

Job Motivation ، Intrinsic Motivation ، Organizational Entrepreneurship ، Tehran Bus Rapid Transit ، Public Sector Innovation