1.4.4 Motivation In Theory And In Practice ******

Question 1

Define motivation

Answer 1

Leads to greater productivity which means less wastage and higher profitability for a business.

Question 2

Why is employee motivation important?

Answer 2

• more productive
• more creative, accurate, analytical
• better at handling customer complaints
• better at customer service
• more reliable and loyal = less likely to leave = improves labour turnover
• less likely to take time off which improves absenteeism rates

Question 3

What are the 5 motivation theories?

Answer 3

1. Taylor (scientific management)
2. Mayo (human relations theory)
3. Maslow (hierarchy of needs)
4. Hertzberg (two factor theory)
5. McGregor (theory x and y)

Question 4

What is Taylor’s theory?

Answer 4

• believed in “fair days pay for a fair days work”
• believed employees would do minimum amount of work if not supervised
• carried out time and motion studies

Question 5

Key features of Taylor’s theory

Answer 5

• main form of motivation is high wages, higher wages equalled higher output
• a managers job is to tell employees what to do
• a workers job is to do what they’re told and get paid accordingly

Question 6

What are the problems with Taylor’s approach?

Answer 6

• doesn’t take into account individual differences
• he viewed people as machines with financial needs rather than having social needs
• overlooked that people work for other reasons than money

Question 7

What is Mayo’s theory?

Answer 7

Based his assumptions on research undertaken with workers at the Hawthorne factory of the Western Electric Company in Chicago.

Question 8

What did Mayo conclude in the Hawthorne factory?

Answer 8

He changed working conditions such as break times and duration of the ladies who worked in the relay assembly room at the factory.

Found that just by being studied, the employees’ motivation increased.

• non financial motivators were the most important
• boring and repetitive work can be demotivating
• working in teams was more important than money

Question 9

Ladies of the relay assembly room that Mayo studied:

Answer 9

• everything depends on how they see each other.
• it’s about how well they communicate with each other.
• recognition and appreciation increased internal job satisfaction and therefore productivity increases.
• relay assembly production was not increased due to the environment, it was because of social interactions.
• Mayo concluded that the concept that employees work to earn money and living is false.

Question 10

Problems with Mayo’s theory?

Answer 10

• is assumes workers and management share the same goals.

- the idea of the workplace ‘consensus’ may not always exist.

Question 11

What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 11

1. Self actualisation
2. Esteem needs
3. Love/belonging needs
4. Safety needs
5. Psychological needs

Question 12

What is the self actualisation section?

Answer 12

At this level we are creative, spontaneous, problem solving, challenged.
We reach our potential.

Question 13

What is the esteem needs section?

Answer 13

We have the psychological need for the respect of others.

We seek independence, recognition, status.

Question 14

What is the love/belonging needs section?

Answer 14

Seek love and friendship, affection, accepted (social needs).
Not productive if needs aren’t met.

Question 15

What is the safety needs section?

Answer 15

Need for security of employment.

Ill employees won’t work at their best.

Question 16

What is the psychological needs section?

Answer 16

Basic needs such as food, water, warmth = if these aren’t met we have no interest in joining clubs, having a family.

Question 17

What is Herzberg’s theory?

Answer 17

He asked a group of engineers and accountants to describe the causes of satisfaction and dissatisfaction in their jobs.

Question 18

What were the results of Herzberg’s theory?

Answer 18

Motivators - recognition for their effort. Increasing job satisfaction motivates workers to be to be more productive.

Hygiene or maintenance factors - leads to dissatisfaction such as pay and conditions. Hygiene factors are unlikely to motivate workers but if they’re not met, there could be a fall in productivity.

Question 19

What was McGregor’s theory?

Answer 19

He developed 2 theories of human behaviour at work: X and Y

Question 20

How did McGregor describe theory X workers?

Answer 20

• dislike and avoid work
• lack ambition
• desire security
• dislike responsibility, prefer to be led

Question 21

What is a disadvantage of theory X workers?

Answer 21

In order to achieve objectives, a business would need to impose a management system of coercion, control and punishment.

Question 22

How did McGregor describe theory Y workers?

Answer 22

• consider effort at work as just like rest or play
• ordinary people who do not dislike work
• seek responsibility if motivated

Question 23

What is a disadvantage of theory Y workers?

Answer 23

A business would need to create a working environment where workers can show and develop their creativity.