AOS 2A: Theories of Motivation Flashcards
What is motivation?
Motivation is the practices or factors that drive a person to perform at their best.
What are the three motivation theories?
- Maslows Hierarchy of needs
- Locke and Lanthams Goal Setting Theory
- Lawrence and Nohria The Four Drive Theory
What is Maslows theory?
Maslows theory refers to a hierarchy of human needs including physiological, safety, love and belonging, self esteem, and self actualisation which are arranged based on importance where the lower level must be satisfied before progressing to the next level that becomes the new motivator.
What are physiological needs?
Basic wages, good employment conditions
What are safety needs?
Safe workplace by exceeding OH&S laws, job security through longer term employment contracts
What are love & belonging needs?
Strong relationships through social gatherings, open workspaces
What are self-esteem needs?
Recognition and responsibility through promotions, recognition for hard work, rewards
What are self actualisation needs?
Achieving full potential through challenging work
Why is Maslows Theory effective?
When an individuals needs are unmet, these motivate individual to pursue satisfaction.
Satisfied needs do not motivate individuals as they already have what they want.
How can managers use Maslows?
- Managers can identify the needs of the employees and implement strategies to satisfy the level they are on.
- Managers understand employees will be on different levels where a variety of strategies must be implemented.
What are the advantages Maslows Theory?
- Motivates the employees by meeting each level of the hierarchy
- Caters to the lower and higher needs to motivate staff
- can target groups of employees on the same need level.
What are the disadvantages of Maslows Theory?
- It is difficult to identify which level employees are at
- Need to formulate strategies for individual employees as its less effective if all staff are addressed
What is the Locke and Lanthams Theory?
Locke and Latham state that goals could lead to motivate employees by successfully providing goals that include the 5 key principles (TFCCC) clarity, challenge, commitment, feedback, and task complexity.
What is clarity?
Clarity states it is important that the goals are clear and specific for employees.
What is challenge?
Challenge states the more challenging goals create higher levels of motivation.
What is commitment?
Commitment states that the more committed an employee is, the more motivated they will be to work towards the goals.
This can be achieved by:
- Assigning goals with rationale (provides direction)
- Mangers setting goals collaboratively with employees (provides choice leading to effort and persistence)
What is task complexity?
Task complexity states that tasks should not be so complex that the employee doesn’t think that they can achieve it.
- employees should have the skills to achieve the goals
- Training the other supports can be provided
What are the advantages of Locke and Lathams Theory?
- Employees have clear goals to achieve, and the manager has a clear way of measuring the employees performance against these goals.
- Allows for employee feedback and may improve relationship with manager
- Can align the business and personal objectives
What are the disadvantages of Locke and Lanthams Theory?
- Time consuming to discuss and negotiate the goals with the employees
- Needs to be done on an individual or team basis
What is the Lawrence and Nohria Theory?
The Lawrence and Nohria Four Drive Theory states there are four basic motivation needs that drive peoples emotions and behaviours (BALD) Bond, Acquire, Learn and Defend.
How can managers use Lawrence and Nohrias Theory?
- All drives occur at the same time in individuals
- The strength of each drive is different for each individual and can change over time
- it is detrimental if one drive dominates and can lead to an imbalance of personal and business outcomes
- Trying to balance the drives is important if all drives are met
What is the drive to bond?
The drive to bond refers to how the individual is driven to see strong working relationships with the business.
- Employees seek to ‘belong’
- belonging, friendship, loyalty, respect, empathy and compassion
Drive to bond possible strategies
- Set up support programs (e.g. mentoring)
- Structuring work in teams
- Build a culture that values sharing
- Social gatherings
- Employee centered management styles
What is the drive to acquire?
The drive to acquire is where the individual is driven to gather material items, status, accomplishments and power
Drive to acquire possible strategies
- Competitive pay
- Monetary rewards programs
- Offering career advancement for high achieving employees
- Appropriately recognising good performance
What is the drive to learn
The drive to learn states employees have an innate drive to satisfy their curiosity and to develop, understand of their environment.
This drive pushes individuals to collect information, and understand how things work.
Drive to learn possible strategies
- Interesting work
- Provide opportunities to learn new things
- Provide challenging work
- Ensure work/job is meaningful
- Support growth and learning opportunities (training and development)
What is the drive to defend?
The drive to defend states individuals are driven to defend themselves, their family, friends, possessions or accomplishments
- The aim to provide an environment where the employee doesn’t need to defend themselves
- If they need to do so, there should be processes in place to allow them to defend their work
Drive to defend possible strategies
- Ensure performance evaluations are fair
- Set clear and transparent objectives
- Have resolution processes in place (e.g. grievance procedures)
- Provide support to employees who are struggling (e.g. Counselling)
What are advantages of Lawrence and Nohrias Theory?
- Motivate the employees by balancing the drives of employees in an organisation
- Caters to extrinsic and intrinsic factors to motivate staff
- Can target groups of employees that are motivated by the same drive
What are the disadvantages of Lawrence and Nohrias Theory?
- It is difficult to identify which drive employees are at
- Need to formulate strategies for individual employees as its ineffective if all staff are addressed
