Motivational Theories Flashcards
What did Taylors scientific approach argue?
Workers do not naturally enjoy work and so need close supervision and control
What are the limitations of Taylors scientific approach theory?
- not suitable for tertiary sector
- doesn’t take psychological
- theory is outdated
What did mayos theory say?
He pointed the fact that psychological factors are also important
What 4 things did Mayo say were important?
- recognition is important
- the workplace is a social system
- communication with management impacts productivity
- employees respond to changes in the working environment
What are the limitations of Mayo’s theory?
- Doesn’t apply to the 21st century
What are the three needs in Mccellands Human Motivation Theory?
Achievement
Affiliation
Power
In Mccellands theory what is achievement?
- has a strong need to set and accomplish goals
- likes to work on tasks where their results are basted on their own efforts
In Mcclellands theory what is affiliation?
- favours collaboration over competition
- doesn’t like high risk or uncertainty
- wants to belong to a group
In Mcclellands theory what is power?
Wants to stay in control and influence others
Likes to win arguments
Enjoys status and recognition
What do managers do with Mccellands theory?
They set tasks to coincide with their dominant need
What are the limitations of Mccellands theory?
- it cannot be assumed that just because an employee exhibits a particular need this means that the need can always be used to the benefit of the business
- it assumes that employees will always be motivated by the duties that their dominant need suggests
What does Vrooms expectancy theory suggest?
That employees make a choice to behave in a certain was, instead of another type of behaviour, because they are motivated by what they expect the result of their choice to be.
How do you work out motivational force in Vrooms theory?
Expectancy x instrumentality x valence = motivational force
What do the 3 factors in Vrooms theory mean?
Expectancy - employees will make a decision based on whether they can fulfil the task.
Instrumentality - based on if you will actually receive the reward
Valence - the value placed on the reward
In vrooms theory what are the values placed on the instruments?
The values are between 0 and 1 with 0.75 being more achievable than 0.1
How do managers use vrooms theory?
Managers make sure the reward is worth having, the rewards are fulfilled and that the worker can achieve the task
What are the limitations of Vroom?
- values subject to opinion
- employees place different values on rewards
- financial rewards may cost too much for the business
- doesn’t work in all industries
What is Hertzbergs theory called?
The two factor theory
What are the two factors in Hertzbergs two factor theory?
Hygiene and motivating
What are hygiene factors?
Hygiene factors are factors such as pay and working conditions.
What did hertzberg believe regarding hygiene factors?
He believed that the absence of them caused dissatisfaction but are not motivated by them
What are motivating factors?
Factors such as job enrichment, recognition, praise and empowerment
What are the limitations of Hertzbergs theory?
- workers may classify different factors in different ways
- some people may be demotivated by both factors
- it may be a challenge to enrich and empower unskilled workers
What are uses of Hertzberg?
- easy to understand
- can be used as a check list
- applies to more workers
What does maslows Hierarchy look like?
Physiological, safety, social, esteem, self actualisation
What are the uses of maslows Hierarchy
- provides and explicit list
- easy to organise
- not much effort to understand
What are the limitations of Maslows hierarchy?
- some employees may not require their higher order needs to be met in work
- it would be a challenge for businesses to identify and meet the needs of every employee
- needs may not be hierarchy for some employees, for example social needs my be as important as safety
What was Drucker’s theory called?
“Management by objectives”
What did Drucker believe ?
He believed that people are an asset and not a cost to be minimised.
How did Drucker believe a business should be structured?
Decentralised and delayered
What did Drucker believe a manager should do?
Create a “community” and take an interest into employees, breaking down the barriers and make it seem like management cares about workers
What does the management by objectives diagram look like?
Review organisational objectives - set objectives - monitor - evaluate - reward.
What did Drucker believe about rewards?
That rewards should be shared equally
What are the limitations of Druckers theory?
- relies on good leadership and effective soft skills
- some employees wont be motivated by “non-monetary” methods
What was Lockes theory called?
“Goal setting theory”
What did Lockes theory propose?
That employees like to have goals and enjoy working towards them
What are the five principles in Lockes “goal setting theory”?
Clarity, challenge, feedback, commitment and task complexity
What are the limitations of Lockes theory?
- may be demotivating if targets aren’t met
- managers may be drawn away from other tasks
- employees may need additional resources to achieve the task/goal
- they may neglect other employees
- time consuming
What are the criticisms of Peters theory?
- he didn’t come up with anything of his own
