Motivation

Question 1

Motivate

Motivation

Answer 1

to provide an incentive or motive

- it is not a performance, although often leads to it

Question 2

Elements of motivation

Answer 2

1. Direction that the behaviour is focused
2. Level of effort
3. Persistence of effort

Question 3

Direction

Answer 3

Of the various choices , the degree to which the individual prominently directs his/her attention toward this behaviour.

Question 4

Level of effort

Answer 4

How hard the individual works on the behaviour that is receiving the attention

Question 5

Persistence of effort

Answer 5

Does the individual continue in this effort regardless of challenges and hurdles?

Question 6

Theory X (By Douglas McGregor)

Answer 6

Workers dislike work by nature, people are lazy, dislike taking on responsibility and must threatened or coerced into behaving in a motivating manner.

Question 7

Theory Y(By Douglas McGregor)

Answer 7

Workers are naturally motivated to work hard, and would, under normal circumstances seek responsibility and exercise self-direction

Question 8

Individuals have three basic needs and they tend to differ in these dimensions (By McClelland’s theory of needs)

Answer 8

1. Need for achievement - the drive to excel
2. Need for power - the drive to excel in relation to others
3. Need for affiliation - the desire for close interpersonal ties

Question 9

What is goal setting? And two main requirements.

Answer 9

Goal setting is the process of developing, negotiating and establishing targets that challenge the individual.

1. The goal has to be difficult
2. The goal has to be specific or clear
3. Feedback leads to higher performance than no feedback

Question 10

What is goal commitment?

Answer 10

The level of willingness and “motivation” an individual had towards a specific goal.
Without commitment to a goal, goal setting is irrelevant

Question 11

Two ways to promote motivated behaviour.

Answer 11

Incentives and intrinsic means

Question 12

Frederick W. Taylor - Scientific Management

Answer 12

People are primarily motivated by money
money = happiness
more money = more work
Scientific management to be successful:
1. Structure - find the optimal input - output configuration for doing the job, simplify the job to focus that way, and aim for high degree of specialisation in sub-tasks
2. Reward - compensate people based on their performance

Question 13

Tournament theory

Answer 13

If the prize is large, individuals will be willing to work extra hours in the hopes of winning the prize
The theory implicitly assumes that most work in an organisation is done by middle managers and line employees

Question 14

Six-sigma

Answer 14

Promotes individuals to to higher “belts” as they provide evidence of the ability to implement cost saving and innovation within a firm.

Question 15

The most well known theory of motivation is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer 15

1. Physiological
2. Safety
3. Social
4. Esteem
5. Self - actualisation

Question 16

How manager can engender higher levels of commitment?

Answer 16

The first is to provide the proper incentive system. The second is to promote a positive work environment (human factors). The incentive system should propel higher levels of performance, while the work environment (human factors) will remove affective barriers to performance.

Question 17

Incentive (extrinsic motivation)

Answer 17

A fear of punishment or an expectation of reward, that incites one one to action or effort

Question 18

Motive (intrinsic motivation)

Answer 18

an impulse, emotion, desire, or psychological need, acting as an increment to action

Question 19

Performance equation

Answer 19

P = A x M (ability x motivation)

Question 20

S.M.A.R.T

Answer 20

Specific;
Measurable; 
Action - oriented;
Reasonable (hard);
Time - bound (feedback)

Question 21

Why money might not be the optimum motivating tool?

Answer 21

1. We cannot assume that money is equally motivating for everyone
2. Often there is a poor link between money and performance
3. Reward must be substantial, min of 7% of base pay
4. Management must have the discretion to reward

Question 22

Alderfer’s ERG theory

Answer 22

He improved Maslow’s theory by:

1. Simplified 5 stages into 3: Existence, Relatedness, Growth
2. No need sequentially address each of his 3 elements, then often operate simultaneously

Question 23

Hertzberg’s motivation-hygiene model

Answer 23

Simplified 5 stages into 2:

1. Hygiene factors: the basic things you need from quitting your job. e.g. supervisory relationship. bureaucracy, pay(Dissatisfaction)
2. Motivators: what motivates you to do a good job, e.g. recognition, meaning, enjoying the job itself (Satisfaction)