Norwegian business athletes : a qualitative study on motivational- and achievement factors among leaders who participate in the Birkebeiner Race

Abstract

There exists extensive research regarding motivation to exercise in various sports and physical activities, no study however, has qualitatively examined the motivation for Norwegian business leaders to participate in Birken. The primary purpose of this study was to answer the following research question: “What motivates Norwegian business leaders to participate in Birken, and to what extent is achievement important?” Aspects from self-determination theory (SDT), and the theory about the need for achievement were used in order to answer this question. A total sample of 11 informants from various business sectors, were interviewed. Results from the semi- structured interviews revealed that Birken plays a vital role in meeting the basic psychological needs proposed by SDT. The findings show that the informants are both intrinsically and extrinsically motivated to take part in the race, in addition to having a high need for achievement. Observations from the findings showed that competitiveness and planning were significant among the informants, and that feedback was not an important aspect for them to participate in the race. Finally, the results from the present thesis are to a large degree inconsistent with how leaders who participate in Birken have been portrayed by the media.