Motivational theories Flashcards
What are the main benefits of employees being motviated?
- Higher labour productivity
- Lower labour turnover
- Higher retention rates
- Lower unit costs
- Lower absenteeism
- Improved customer service
- Better workplace relations
Fredrick Winslow Taylor - ‘scientific managment’
He believed workers were not capable of understanding tasks and should follow strict rules. – All tasks should be studied scientifically using study of time and motion so that most efficient way of carrying out a task will hence be identified. Employee then would be instructed in exactly how to do the job in an efficient manner. Workers should be closely supervised.
Believed money was only motivation and was criticised for making jobs tedious.
George Elton Mayo - ‘Human relations’
He believed workers must be seen as a group and not individuals – emphasised informal group work as the means to improve productivity. He believed workers had social needs that these should take precedence over other areas such as money as a motivator. Changes in working conditions and financial incentives have little impact on labour productivity.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Based on seeing human needs as being placed in order, each need must be fulfilled before one can move onto the next. Employees can be motivated by being presented with the opportunity to achieve the next level.
Self-actualization – Morality, creativity, spontaneity, acceptance. Experience purpose, meaning and inner potential.
Self-esteem needs – confidence, achievements, respect of others, connections, need for individuality.
Love and belonginess – Friendship, family, intimacy, connections
Safety and security needs – Health, employment, property, family, stability
Physiological needs – Air, food, water, shelter, clothing, sleep
Fredrick Irving Herzberg
Job satisfaction is a key factor leading to motivation. Motivating and hygiene factors both need to be achieved in order for motivation.
Motivating factors – If present lead to job satisfaction and hence motivation. Achievement recognition, work, responsibility, promotions and growth.
Hygiene factors – If present do not lead to motivation but if absent lead to dissatisfaction. Pay and benefits, company policy, workplace relations, work conditions status and job security.
Vrooms expectancy theory
Believes that employees will be motivated to behave in a set manner based upon what they believed the outcome will be. Individuals have different desires but ultimately performance will be affected by the ability to achieved desired rewards.
Based on 3 core elements:
Valence – The reward and degree of desire for that reward
Instrumentality – The belief in relationship between cause and effect.
Expectancy – The belief that desired outcome is obtainable and will be rewarded.
Expectancy theory
Developed expectancy theory based on vroom to conclude employees motivation to complete task is based on reward.
Intrinsic – Personal feelings e.g pride, esteem, achievement
Extrinsic – material rewards e.g. bonuses, performance related pay, pay rise
