Locke & Latham's Goal Setting Theory

Question 1

what are the 5 goals in the theory?

Answer 1

clarity
challenge
commitment
feedback
task complexity

Question 2

clarity

Answer 2

goals need to be clear and specific.

this ensures the employee understands exactly what needs to be accomplished and how they will be assessed.

Question 3

challenge

Answer 3

challenging goals create more motivation than easy goals

the employee is likely to work harder and put in more effort to achieve something that will extend them

Question 4

commitment

Answer 4

employees must be committed to the achievement of their goals to generate the drive toward it achievement

the more committed the employee is, the more motivated they will be to work hard towards the goal

Question 5

how can commitment be gained?

Answer 5

• the manager setting goals and convincing the employee why it is important
• the manager setting the goal collaboratively with the employee or group

Question 6

feedback

Answer 6

regular feedback is important as it helps the employee monitor their progress towards the goal

the feedback can allow the employee to make adjustments if required

feedback helps maintain momentum toward the goal

Question 7

eg. of how feedback can be received

Answer 7

from supervisor or direct results

Question 8

task complexity

Answer 8

while challenging goals are important, the tasks should not be so complex that the employee cannot complete it

if tasks are too complex it can harm motivation

individuals become overwhelmed when tasks are too complex

a manager needs to consider the skills and abilities of the employee when setting goals

Question 9

goal setting theory advantages

Answer 9

can improve motivation

improves the ability of the employees as they are challenged constantly

improved relationship between managers and employees

Question 10

goal setting theory disadvantages

Answer 10

time consuming for the manager to set goals and provide constant feedback

difficult to find the balance between challenging goals and overwhelming goals

may harm confidence if the goal is not achieved