How to Deal with Amotivated Students? Using Commitment to Reduce Amotivation as Applied to Hospitality Training

ABSTRACT

Amotivation can be considered one of the more important problems hospitality training faces. This research article aims to test whether the use of commitment can reduce amotivation and increase performance in the context of training programs. We used action identification to improve the effectiveness of commitment. A total of 92 students participated in three experimental conditions: 29 participated in a standard training program, and 63 participated in one of the two training programs that used commitment (33 participants in the low identification level commitment condition and 30 in the high identification level commitment condition). Results show that commitment increases performance and reduces amotivation. Furthermore, the link between the strength of participants’ commitment and performance appears to be mediated by amotivation. Finally, results are discussed and future avenues for research are suggested.

KEYWORDS:

• Amotivation
• commitment
• hospitality
• training

Notes

¹ This was done by following a procedure designed by other scholars (Dar & Katz, 2005; Vallacher & Wegner, 1985).