Limitations of our study and suggestions for future research
Although our study adds valuable findings to the available literature on self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation and work performance, we should also mention certain limitations that might be important for future researchers dealing with the same topic. First, despite using data from weekly surveys and mixing the order of the questions, the intrinsic motivation and work performance was measured at the same point in time by self-reports. For future studies, taking into consideration to use multi source data from supervisors or coworkers and to use different measurement points for each variable may decrease the possible effects of common method issues. Second, the sample from diverse organizations operating in an organized industrial region of Turkey may raise the questions of generalizability of the results. It needs future studies including diversified samples from other professions, sectors or cultures to support or oppose the results. Third, despite existing study used a longitudinal design to explore the relationship among individual variables, the associations determined in between variables over time should be dealt with carefully. There may be many potential individual-related variables which might influence work performance together with self-efficacy. As mentioned above, one of the purposes of this study is to explore the mediating role of intrinsic motivation in the relationship between self-efficacy and work performance. Future studies should examine the state-like (i.e. psychological capital) individual variables for testing the other possible factors that are of central in the relationship between self-efficacy and work performance.
