This article (found via Hardocp.com of all places) explains two important things. First, the difference between hygiene and motivational workplaces. Second, the nine things that developers want. Honestly, this can be expanded beyond developers and into network engineers, security professionals, and IT staff in general.
Sadly, I work for a company that is only about 450 employees small, but is firmly of the “hygiene only” mindset. The benefits are excellent, the pay is more than competitive, and everyone is just pretty comfy in their jobs. The company does not score even one point in the motivational items. Even more sadly, those are the points I value the most.