motivation .0. Flashcards
What is motivation
The will to work
The internal and external factors that stimulate people to take actions that lead to achieving a goal
The desire to see a job done quickly and well
Motivation impacts on a business in a massive way
problems with poor motivation
Absenteeism Lateness Accidents Labour turnover Grievances (disputes) Poor response rate
How many theories about motivation (what to remember)
5 content theories
1 process theory
The people who came up with these theories (theorists)
F.W. Taylor (1856-1917)
1st attempt to analyse worker motivation
Used a scientific approach
Theory of the ‘economic man’ – people are motivated by money alone
what did F.W Taylor do
The only thing that will result in greater effort is opportunity to earn more money
Taylor’s suggestion – pay workers per unit produced (piece rate)
To encourage high output, pay a low rate for 1st set of units and pay higher rates if targets exceeded
Results of Taylors work
Business focused on increasing productivity
Workers specialised in one task
Piece rate payment was common
Businesses in mass production applied these principles
Elton Mayo (1880 – 1949)
The Hawthorne Effect
Working conditions not important in determining productivity
The Hawthorne effect
Motivation is improved when management consult with workers
Team work and team spirit can improve productivity
Giving workers some control over their work has a positive motivational effect
Groups greatly influenced by informal leaders
effects that the Hawthorne effect has in business today
Move of focus from production & money to PEOPLE
Employees more involved in decision making – employee participation
Team working & group working common
Led to further important research
Abraham Maslow – the hierarchy of human needs
This theory is based on the assumption that our needs determine our actions.
We are motivated to satisfy our needs.
If work can be organised in a way that allows workers to satisfy their needs, then we will be more productive.
Maslow believed that human needs can be organised into a hierarchy starting on the lowest level.
Once one need is satisfied, humans will try to meet the next need.
Once one need is satisfied, it no longer motivates people.
What are Maslow’s hierarchy of needs from top to bottom
Self actualization esteem needs Social needs Safety needs physiological needs
Describe Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Physical needs
Safety needs – health & safety, job security
Social needs
Esteem needs – respect, status
Self actualisation needs – reaching your potential
How does Maslow’s hierarchy of needs affect business
Physical needs – sufficient income to meet essential needs
Safety needs - job security, structured organisation, complying with health & safety
Social needs – team work, good communication
Esteem needs – recognise work that is done well, promotion, give employees responsibility
Self actualisation – challenging work that stretches the individual, training opportunities to develop new skills
Criticism of Maslow’s theory
Not everyone has the same needs identified by the hierarchy
Difficult to identify which level of need each worker is ‘on’
Money could satisfy more than just physical needs - status, esteem
Is self- actualisation ever truly possible on a permanent basis? Are we always searching for the next challenge/best thing?
Herzberg - two factor theory
Interviewed employees to find out:
The factors that led to them having good feelings about their jobs
The factors that led to them having a negative feelings about their jobs
