Stimulating training motivation using the right training characteristic

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide human resource practitioners with practical information on the characteristics of a training programme that stimulates training motivation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses integrative literature reviews of 40 empirical studies on training programme characteristics that have motivated trainees conducted since 1986. Findings – The main characteristics of a training programme that stimulate training motivation are option to voluntary attendance, training reputation, appropriate training design, and the relevance of training for job‐, career‐, and personal‐related needs. Research limitations/implications – For future research, these six training programme characteristics should be empirically researched altogether to identify the factor with the strongest influence on training motivation, in which priorities can be focused on that main factor. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications – A number of studies indicated that training programme characteristics influence training motivation; however, different scholars selected different characteristics and defined and segregated them into various types of training motivation. Consequently, a vague explanation on the effect of the training programme on training motivation is demonstrated. Therefore, this paper seeks to help practitioners choose the right training programme characteristics that stimulate training motivation, by giving a comprehensive explanation. Originality/value – This is the first review to explain the characteristics of a training programme that affects training motivation using an integrative and comprehensive literature review.