Voutsina, M. And Goulimaris, D.: Motivation and job satisfaction of people working in ... Sport Science 9 (2016) 1: 28-36 28 MOTIVATION AND JOB SATISFACTION OF PEOPLE WORKING IN RECREATIONAL DANCE ACTIVITIES Maria Voutsina and Dimitris Goulimaris School of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace Original scientific paper Abstract Using the Self-determination theory as theoretical background, the aim of the research was the investigation of motivation and job satisfaction of people working in recreational dance activities and whether these concepts are differentiated by their demographic characteristics. There were a hundred and fifty recreational dance activities trainers who participated in the research. For the evaluation of motivation, the methods used were «The Blais Work Motivation Inventory» by Blais et al. (1993). For the investigation of job satisfaction, the researchers used the E.S.I. scale (Koustelios & Bagiatis, 1997). According to the measurements, the related working people have a high sense of job motivation and a moderate sense of job satisfaction. The results clearly state that motivation and job satisfaction are differentiated ad hoc, by their basic demographic elements. The findings of the research are particularly useful, because the investigation aimed specifically at people working in recreational dance activities, something which did not exist in the previous bibliography and can be considered when targeting at the maximum efficiency of the people working in similar institutions. Key words: self-determination, motivation, job satisfaction, dance. Introduction Dance is a tempting form of recreational activity in Greece and attracts a considerable number of participants (Fillipou, Goulimaris, Baxevanos & Genti, 2010; Yfantidou, Costa & Michalopoulos, 2008). It constitutes an organized form of physical activity which includes group dancing activities. Those who participate in recreational activities aim at developing social relationships, entertainment, functional capacity, mobility level and psychological mood (Genti, 2008; Goulimaris, Mavridis, Genti&Rokka 2014; Matsouka, Harahousou, Kabitsis&Trigonis, 2003; Matsouka, Kabitsis, Harahousou & Trigonis, 2003). The increased participation in dance activities is analogical to the increased number of dance teaching institutions (Fillipou, Goulimaris, Baxevanos & Genti, 2010). This bilateral increase has created a significant number of job posts, mainly for Greek dance trainers (Goulimaris & Genti, 2010). Job motivation for those who work in these recreational dance institutions seems to be the basis for the improvement of the offered services which contributes to the number of both the participants and the dance activity institutions. Theoretical background Self-determination theory is a modern frame of theoretical study of the motivation of working people. It investigates motives, trying mainly to answer the question why people participate in an activity. According to this theory, a motivation can be intrinsic, extrinsic or non existing. On the lowest level of the self-determination scale, lies the non existence of motivation and on the highest the intrinsic motivation (Deci & Ryan, 1985; 1991). According to Deci and Ryan (1985), the motivation of a person presents a continuation, depending on the degree of the self-determination, ranging from intrinsic to a motivation. Intrinsic motivation concerns autonomous, highly self-determined behaviors (Deci & Ryan, 1985). According to researches (Vallerand, Pelletier, Blais, Briere, Senecal, & Vallieries, 1993), intrinsic motivation is classified into three categories: a) intrinsic motivation for knowledge, when a person becomes active in order to acquire knowledge b) intrinsic motivation for accomplishment, when a person becomes active in order to achieve a goal c) intrinsic motivation for emotional stimulation, when a person becomes active in order to receive pleasure. There follows extrinsic motivation, which includes behaviors more, less or not at all self-determined. Identified regulation refers to relatively self- determined behaviors, which take place when, for example, someone takes part in an activity because he/she recognizes the benefits that can be gained.