Topic 17

Question 1

Importance of employee motivation

Answer 1

1. Increases productivity
2. Improves retention and reduces absenteeism
3. Boosts innovation and creativity
4. Enhances workplace culture

Question 2

Negative impacts of low motivation

Answer 2

. Low productivity
. Absenteeism
. Turnove
. Worst customer service

Question 3

Motivation theories -> Taylor’s scientific management -> key ideas and criticisms

Answer 3

Key idea: workers motivated solely my financial motives
-> work should be divided into simple, repetitive tasks
-> employees based off of their productivity
-> close supervision ensures efficiency
Criticism
. Ignores employees physiology and social needs
. Results in boredom + high turnover rates
. Treats employees as machines not people

Question 4

Motivation theories -> Mayo’s human relations theory -> core principals and criticisms

Answer 4

Key idea: motivation depends on social factors like teamwork, relationships and recognition
-> employees more productive when valued
-> teamwork and positive communication = improved morale
-> better working conditions = enhance performance
Criticism:
. May neglects financial incentives or underestimate individual performance

Question 5

Motivation theories -> Maslow’s hierarchy of needs -> needs + criticism

Answer 5

Key idea: motivation is driven by hierarchy of needs, which must be fulfilled in order:
1. Physiological needs
2. Safety needs
3. Love and belonging
4. Esteem needs
4. Self-actualisation
Criticism:
. Not all employees value needs equally
. Can be difficult to identify which stages employees are at

Question 6

Motivation theories -> Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory -> factors and criticism

Answer 6

Key idea: motivation depends on two factors
Hygiene factors -> prevent dissatisfaction but don’t actively motivate
Motivators -> create job satisfaction and improve motivation
Criticism:
. Overlooks importance of financial incentives
. May not be applicable to all job types

Question 7

Types of financial rewards

Answer 7

1. Piecework -> workers paid per unit produced or task completed
2. Commission-> workers earn percentage of sales made
3. Bonus payments -> one-time payments for meeting or exceeding targets
4. Profit sharing -> employees receive share of company profits
5. Performance-related pay (PRP) -> additional pay based on performance

Question 8

Non-financial techniques to improve motivation -> 8

Answer 8

1. Delegation -> assigning authority to employees for certain tasks
2. Consultation -> involving employees in decision affecting their roles
3. Empowerment -> giving employees autonomy to make decisions
4. Teamwork-> build relationships + improves efficiency BUT risk of potential conflicts + unequal workload distribution
5. Felxible working -> improves work-life balance + reduces absenteeism
6. Job enrichment -> adding challenging and meaningful tasks = makes role more fulfilling
7. Job enlargement -> expanding scope of a role by adding similar tasks
8. Job rotation -> moving employees between roles to diversify skills