It depends on whether you consider software development a rote activity or a creative endeavour. The transactional approach certainly makes sense from a rote a

It depends on whether you consider software development a rote activity or a creative endeavour. The transactional approach certainly makes sense from a rote activity stand-point. Money, however, is a remarkably poor motivator for most people when they are required to pour their creative juices into a task. A sense of ownership, a higher cause, or a sense of accomplishment are much stronger drivers. I think the problem stems from management lumping both types of work into a common bucket. That's when what you describe starts to occur.