Motivation in Theory and Practice

Question 1

What are the benefits of a more motivated workforce?

Answer 1

• Increased productivity and reduced unit costs
• Reduced absenteeism and labour turnover
• Fewer industrial disputes
• Better quality goods and customer service

Question 2

What are examples of financial motivators?

Answer 2

• Piece rate
• Commission
• Performance related pay
• Bonuses
• Profit sharing

Question 3

What are examples of non-financial motivators?

Answer 3

• Team working
• Job enrichment
• Job rotation
• Job enlargement
• Delegation
• Consultation
• Empowerment
• Flexible working

Question 4

What are the advantages of financial incentives?

Answer 4

• Can motivate employees who see money as an incentive
• Can encourage employees to work towards organisational objectives
• Can reduce the need for supervisors

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of financial incentives?

Answer 5

• May encourage employees to focus on one foals at the expense of others (e.g. quantity over quality)
• May discourage a team based approach
• How easy is it to measure employee performance?
• Not all employees are motivated by money

Question 6

What factors should successful job design include?

Answer 6

Change, Challenge, Closure, Control, Co-operation

Question 7

Who was Taylor and what was his theory of motivation?

Answer 7

Taylor was a motivational theorist born in 1856 who developed the theory of scientific management. The theory involves identifying the most efficient methods of production and then training other employees to work in the same way.

Question 8

Who was Mayo and what was his theory of motivation?

Answer 8

Mayo was a motivational theorist born in 1880 who developed the theory of human relations. The theory involved changing variables such as hours of work, rest periods and lighting and heating and analysing the effects. It was found that whatever changes were made, motivation increased.

Question 9

Who was Maslow and what was his theory of motivation?

Answer 9

Maslow was a motivational theorist born in 1908 who developed the theory of the hierarchy of needs. He believed motivation could be improved by offering different incentives to employees in order, to help them fulfil each need in turn and move up the hierarchy.

Question 10

Who was Herzberg and what was his theory of motivation?

Answer 10

Herzberg was a motivational theorist who developed the two factor theory. He developed the idea of two factors: hygiene factors (which reduce dissatisfaction - pay, working conditions, job security) and motivators (those that directly motivate people to work harder - sense of achievement, responsibility, promotions, delegation).

Question 11

What are the problems with Taylor’s theory?

Answer 11

• Is there only one best way of doing things?

- To what extent are people motivated by money?

Question 12

What are the problems with Mayo’s theory?

Answer 12

• Is it possible to worker and managerial goals?

- Groups may form negative norms

Question 13

What are the problems with Maslow’s theory?

Answer 13

Not every individual satisfies needs in this order.

Question 14

What are the problems with Herzberg’s theory?

Answer 14

The research was based on a group of professionals - can it be applied to all professions/jobs?

Question 15

Define THE HAWTHORNE EFFECT

Answer 15

The hawthorne effect is when the motivation, productivity and morale of employees is increased due to their managers paying attention to them. Related to Mayo’s theory of motivation, human relations.

Question 16

What are the levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 16

Self actualisation
Esteem needs
Belongingness needs
Safety needs 
Psychological needs

Question 17

Define DELEGATION

Answer 17

Delegation is the passing of authority down the hierarchy.

Question 18

Define CONSULTATION

Answer 18

Consultation is the process of discussing issues with employees before making decisions.

Question 19

Define EMPOWERMENT

Answer 19

Empowerment is the delegation of responsibility to employees allowing them to use their abilities to have a greater say in decision making.

Question 20

Define TEAMWORKING

Answer 20

Team working is where employees are organised into teams and work together in order to meet set objectives.

Question 21

Define FLEXIBLE WORKING

Answer 21

Flexible working involves allowing employees to vary their working hours to suit them and to fit in with their other commitments.

Question 22

Define JOB ROTATION

Answer 22

Job rotation is where employees carries out a number of different tasks and moves between the tasks they are responsible for.

Question 23

Defne JOB ENLARGEMENT

Answer 23

Job enlargement involves increasing the number, rather than the level, of responsibilities an employee has.

Question 24

Define JOB ENRICHMENT

Answer 24

Job enrichment is an increase in the level of responsibility that an employee has.

Question 25

Define a COMMISSION

Answer 25

Commission is a form of payment tat rewards the employees by giving them a percentage of their sales as a financial reward.

Question 26

Define a BONUS

Answer 26

A bonus is the payment of a discretionary lump sum to an employee, normally based on predetermined criteria. They may be one off or regular.

Question 27

Define PIECE RATE

Answer 27

A piece rate is where employees are paid a set amount for each item of work they complete. This makes it easy to ensure that the employee is being paid the correct amount for the work done.

Question 28

Define PROFIT SHARING

Answer 28

Profit sharing is a financial incentive when a proportion of an employee’s pay varies depending on the profits of the business. Employees therefore see rewards when the business is doing well.

Question 29

Define PERFORMANCE RELATED PAY

Answer 29

Performance related pay is where part of an employee’s salary is linked to their performance in the job.

Question 30

Define FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

Answer 30

Financial incentives are the variety of methods that have a monetary value and are used to reward the workforce and influence their behaviour at work.

Question 31

Define NON FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

Answer 31

Non financial incentives are methods of motivating employees through job design rather than monetary rewards.