The Effect of Nonverbal Immediacy and Spatial Perception on Motivation: A Study on White-Collar Hybrid Workers

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this research is to examine the effect of nonverbal immediacy and spatial perception on the motivation levels of white-collar employees working in a hybrid work model, within the context of Self-Determination Theory.
Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative method was used in the research, and data were collected via a survey from white-collar employees working hybrid in Türkiye. Data from a total of 332 participants were analyzed. Nonverbal immediacy and spatial perception were considered as independent variables, while motivation was considered as the dependent variable. Hybrid work satisfaction was included in the model as a control variable. The minimum sample size sufficient for analysis was determined as a result of the power analysis performed with the G*Power program. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program.
Results – The analyses revealed that, when the effect of Hybrid Work Satisfaction was controlled, nonverbal immediacy and spatial perception had significant and positive effects on employee motivation. In particular, spatial perception emerged as a stronger determinant of employee motivation than nonverbal immediacy. The results of the research indicate that organizations should develop strategies to enhance nonverbal immediacy and spatial perception to increase employee motivation in hybrid work environments.
Discussion – The results demonstrate that both physical and psychological communication and spatial arrangements are important for increasing employee motivation in hybrid environments. It is considered that by taking into account employees’ nonverbal immediacy and spatial perception, their motivation and thus job performance can be positively increased. The research contributes to the literature by considering nonverbal immediacy, spatial perception and motivation together in the hybrid working model.