21. Motivating groups and individuals

Question 1

What is motivation?

Answer 1

Motivation refers to the willingness of individuals to perform certain tasks or actions.

Question 2

What is the difference between content and process motivation theories?

Answer 2

Content theories ask what motivates people, assuming we are all driven by the same thing, however, process theories argue how people are motivated, changing the emphasis on goals and processes.

Question 3

What are the components of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? (5)

Answer 3

Basic

Safety/security

Social

Ego

Self-fulfilment

Question 4

What are the criticisms of Maslow’s hierarchy? (3)

Answer 4

Individuals have different needs and may not necessarily reach them in the same order

Individuals may seek to satisfy several needs at the same time

Not all needs can be satisfied through work.

Question 5

Hertzberg’s two-factor theory: list all components (10)

Answer 5

Hygiene factors: avoid dissatisfaction

• Policies and procedures for staff treatment
• Pay and working conditions
• Supervision
• Team work and relationships
• Overall working environment

Motivating factors: stimulate improved performance.

• Sense of achievement
• Recognition of good work
• Levels of responsibility
• Career progression
• Enjoyment

Question 6

What are the three types of job design Hertzberg argued would increase motivation?

Answer 6

Job enrichment: deliberate, planned process to improve the responsibility and challenge within a job.

Job enlargement: attempt to widen the employee’s job by giving them a larger workload.

Job rotation: planned rotation of staff between jobs to alleviate pressures and provide a fresh, challenging job.

Question 7

What are the issues with each of the job designs?

Answer 7

Enrichment: higher work loads usually mean that workers require higher hygiene factors, particularly in relation to pay.

Enlargement: limited usefulness to motivation if the job is repetitive/tedious.

Rotation: changing skills can be stressful.

Question 8

What is McGregor’s theory?

Answer 8

X or Y

X: employees are assumed to:
- dislike work
- have to be forced to work well
- not like responsibility
So, management is authoritarian and strict.

Y: employees are assumed to: 
- enjoy work
- take responsibility
- work well
So, management is democratic and participative.

Question 9

What is Vrooms theory?

Answer 9

Force = valence x expectancy

Motivation = strength of an individual’s preference for an outcome x success

Question 10

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards?

Answer 10

Intrinsic rewards are those that arise from the job itself such as interest in your job.

Extrinsic rewards are external, such as pay, working conditions and benefits.

Question 11

Reward systems should (6)

Answer 11

• Be fair
• Be attractive
• Increase performance
• Reward progression
• Legal
• Control salary costs

Question 12

What are the main types of incentive schemes? (3)

Answer 12

• Performance related pay
• Bonus schemes
• Profit sharing

Question 13

What are the four types of performance related pay? Explain them.

Answer 13

Piecework: reward related to the pace of work or amount of effort

Management by objectives: key results are identified for which rewards will be paid for.

Points system: extension on MBOs, range of rewards based on a scale of improvement made

Commission: reward is a proportion of total sales made.