Motivation

Question 1

Motivation

Answer 1

The range of factors that influence people to behave in certain ways.

Question 2

Advantages of motivation

Answer 2

Better labour productivity
Lower levels of absenteeism and staff turnover
Improed relations with trade unions
Good employer reputation
Increased product quality or customer service

Question 3

Theories of motivation

Answer 3

Taylor
Mayo
Maslow
Herzberg
Expectancy theories

Question 4

Taylor’s theory of motivation

Answer 4

Workers are mainly motivated by pay
Workers do not naturally enjoy work
Piece-rate pay so that workers are encouraged to maximise production
Ignores social needs of employees

Question 5

Mayo’s theory of motivation

Answer 5

Workers are motivated by communication and teamwork
Greater manager involvement in employee’s working lives
Involving employees in decision making

Question 6

Maslow’s theory of motivation

Answer 6

Focuses on the psychological needs of employees
The five levels of the Hierarchy of Needs

Question 7

The Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 7

Basic Needs
Safety Needs
Social Needs
Self-esteem
Self-actualisation

Question 8

Herzberg’s theory of motivation

Answer 8

A two-factor theory of motivation - Motivating factors and hygiene factors
Workers are motivated by job enlargement, job enrichment and empowerment

Question 9

Motivating factors

Answer 9

Factors concerned with the actual job:
Recognition by management of tasks being done well
Being given responsibility over tasks
Promotion opportunities

Question 10

Hygiene factors

Answer 10

Factors that surround the job:
Poor working conditions
Unsatisfactory wages and salaries
Lack of job security

Question 11

Job enlargement

Answer 11

Workers are given a greater variety of tasks to perform.

Question 12

Job enrichment

Answer 12

Workers are given more complex and challenging tasks.

Question 13

Empowerment

Answer 13

Delegation of more power to employees to make their own decisions.

Question 14

Expectancy theories of motivation

Answer 14

Workers are motivated by what they perceive will happen
Three factors that motivate workers - Expectancy, Instrumentality, Valence

Question 15

Expectancy

Answer 15

The extent of an individual’s perception that an action will produce a particular outcome.

Question 16

Instrumentality

Answer 16

The extent to which an individual perceives that effective performance will lead to desired rewards.

Question 17

Valence

Answer 17

The strength of the belief that rewards are available to be achieved.

Question 18

Financial methods of motivation

Answer 18

Time-rate pay
Piece-rate pay
Commission
Fringe benefits
Profit sharing

Question 19

Time-rate pay

Answer 19

Employees are paid for the amount of time spent at work.

Question 20

Piece-rate pay

Answer 20

Gives a payment for each item produced.

Question 21

Commission

Answer 21

A payment made to employees based on the value of sales achieved.

Question 22

Fringe benefits

Answer 22

Financial benefits not paid out directly in cash.

Question 23

Profit sharing

Answer 23

Employees receive a proportion of business profits.

Question 24

Non-financial methods of motivation

Answer 24

Job enlargement
Job enrichment
Job rotation
Empowerment
Quality circles

Question 25

Job rotation

Answer 25

The movement of employees through a range of jobs.