What Are Basic Human Needs? A Challenge to the Self-Determination Theory in the SST Context

Self-determination theory suggests that autonomy, competence and relatedness are the sole basic human needs that foster volitional forms of motivation. Given that perceived control, ease of use and usefulness have been found to enhance intrinsic motivation in the context of self-service technology (SST), it is argued that these later factors are also basic human needs that nurture volitional forms of motivation. Hence, it is hypothesized that the relationships between perceived control, ease of use and usefulness and the use of SSTs are mediated by self-determined motivation. Results suggest that self-determined motivation mediated the relationships between ease of use, usefulness and the use of SSTs but not the relationship between perceived control and the use of SSTs. Thus, basic human needs are not limited to autonomy, competence and relatedness; perceived ease of use and usefulness may also need to be included. Theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed.