The mediating role of intrinsic motivation on the relationship between developmental feedback and employee job performance

Although previous researchers have paid significant attention to the effect of feedback on employee behavioral outcomes, few have specifically examined the influence of developmental feedback on employee job performance. In this study we examined the influences of intrinsic motivation and social exchange on the relationship between developmental feedback and job performance. Participants were 202 supervisor-subordinate dyads from 12 enterprises in China. We found that developmental feedback had a significant positive effect on both intrinsic motivation and job performance. In addition, intrinsic motivation had a significant positive relationship with job performance but it also had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between developmental feedback and job performance. Managerial implications and directions for further research are discussed.