Explore BrainMass

Explore BrainMass

    Motivation in Organizations

    Motivation is an important component of a manager's role in managing the performance of his or her subordinates. Motivation and ability (aptitude, training, and resources) are the two necessary factors for achieving individual, team or organizational goals. Motivation is what drives subordinates to want to work towards desired outcomes and, given the ability, is what will get them there.
    There are two fundamental categories of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic.

    Intrinsic motivation means employees are motivated by the work itself. It comes when employees enjoy the work they are doing, enjoy the people they are working with, and/or are having fun while doing it. It also comes when employees believe the work they are doing is meaningful, and they feel a connection with the desired outcome (such as if they feel their goal is important or, even more so, if they feel they are the only ones able to achieve it). To be intrinsically motivated, employees must also feel that they are empowered with the resources, support, information and aptitude to achieve their goals. Intrinsic motivation is shown to increase job satisfaction.

    Extrinsic motivation involves punishment or rewards based on the outcome of an employee's work. For example, bonuses or public recognition are seen as extrinsic motivators. Interestingly, the presence of extrinsic motivation tends to have an opposite effect on a person’s intrinsic motivation. For example, studies show that when a child is given a reward for painting a picture, they spend less time playing with their arts and crafts toys and enjoy painting less. Conversely, when a child is punished when they play with a certain toy, they view the toy as more desirable to play with.

    In addition to these two broad categories, many comprehensive theories of motivation are applicable in business. These include Attribution Theory, Equity Theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Expectancy Theory and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory. Significant research in these areas suggests that employees do not look at work as merely a way to make money. Many view their jobs as fundamental to achieving higher needs such as esteem and self-actualization. As a result, relative factors, such as equality between employees, is important for job satisfaction. Similarly, this reinforces the notion that intrinsic motivation has a much more significant correlation with job satisfaction then extrinsic motivation.

    Photo by Vek Labs on Unsplash

    © BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com March 18, 2024, 11:11 pm ad1c9bdddf

    BrainMass Categories within Motivation in Organizations

    Equity Theory

    Solutions: 203

    Equity Theory in organizational behavior looks at the value that workers place on fairness in organizations. That is, workers look to assure that the effort, creativity, talent and successes they contribute to an organization are rewarded equally.

    Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

    Solutions: 9

    Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology that interprets human motivation based on physiological and psychological needs. In his theory, Maslow describes how human motivation begins with Physiological Needs and moves onward to include Safety, Love and Belonging, Esteem, and Self-Actualization once lower-level needs are met.

    Expectancy Theory

    Solutions: 7

    Expectancy Theory is a theory in organizational behavior that explains motivation by studying the decision-making process. It looks at how people are motivated by their expectations of the probability of receiving a valued reward.

    Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory

    Solutions: 6

    Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory proposes that job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction were related to two separate sets of variables. As a result, an increase in “satisfiers” would have very little affect on an employee’s feelings of dissatisfaction. Vice versa, an increase in "dissatisfiers" wouldn't necessarily have an affect on how satisfied an employee felt about his or her work.

    Theory X and Theory Y

    Solutions: 3

    McGregor’s Theory Y suggested that employees viewed work as important for meeting higher level needs such as self-esteem and self-actualization.

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    Herzberg's Two Factor Theory V/S Job Characteristics Model

    Read the following: Herzberg's Motivation-Hygiene Theory. http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/herzberg/ Herzberg's Theory suggests that pay and benefits are not motivators, because they do not satisfy the worker (who doesn't want more pay or vacation time?). However, they can cause dissatisfaction if not sufficient.

    Motivation: In Today's Workplace

    In the background materials below, you read about some very traditional theories of motivation such as Theory X and Theory Y, and the hierarchy of needs. But one trend that has received a lot of attention in the media is that of weird or offbeat methods to motivate employees. The recent movie The Internship is set in the odd

    General Motors Financial Difficulties

    There has been much written lately about GM's failures to respond to changes in the demand for cars. How would you characterize their failure so far? add references if used

    Happy Employees are Productive Employees

    Question: 'Happy employees are productive employees'. Do you agree with this statement? In your answer, discuss the accuracy of your position and demonstrate your understanding of the relevant theories(mainly motivation theory) underpinning your argument Please use evidence (examples, data, research findings, etc.)

    Customer Relationship Management Discussed

    1.Explain what is involved in CRM. 2.What type of tools do managers have to help them with CRM? 3.Give an example of a company that does a good job with CRM. 4.Give an example of a company that did a bad job with CRM. 5.How has technology impacted how organizations interact with customers? How has CRM affected customer servi

    Define Motivation

    What is motivation? Why is it important for leaders to understand motivation?

    Nestle Motivation of Employees

    Applied Paper - Employee Motivatiom Submit a paper outlining the processes or programs used to motivate employees in nestle Include the policies or practices (formal or informal) that leaders use to increase levels of performance. If you were a manager, what would you do to better motivate people? Cite references or reading

    Motivation

    What do you think about Daniel Pink's take on motivation, as outlined in his TED talk video? Do you think it has validity? How might his views be implemented in your organization? As a manager, give an example of how you might motivate your employee's using Pink's ideas as your starting point? On a more personal note, to what e

    Lean Initiatives and Organizational Behaviour

    1. Discuss the management style of the Nike Corporation and its adopted lean initiatives. 2. What are the characteristics of Nike's lean enterprise style in how it affects organizational behaviour?

    Global competition, expatriate motivation

    Why is the global competition considered the Elephant of the 21st century? What recommendation would you provide to ensure employee acceptance of global assignment and motivate expatriates?

    Google Business Operation Strategy

    I need help defining Google's corporate strategy. 1) Synthesize the product, vertical and geographical scope of Google's endeavors and evaluate the effectiveness of their corporate strategy in creating value. 2) Articulate Google's use of vertical integration, globalization and diversification strategies in managing the scop

    Eric Kurtz worries about Joyce performance: Response?

    Determine whether the individuals will be motivated to behave as desired. Then select the appropriate managerial action from those listed.Explain your reason Joyce, a recent College of Business graduate, has been working several months as a sales person for a small manufacturer of computers and word processors. She is one of

    Motivation and Work Learning

    Discuss the purposes of conducting performance appraisals. What are the benefits of 360-degree feedback? Have you participated in 360-degree feedback? Explain.

    Teamwork and Motivation

    Imagine that you are the owner of a small manufacturing company. Your company manufactures a commodity, widget. Your widget is a clone of a nationally known widget. Your company's widget, WooWoo, is less expensive and more readily available than the nationally know brand. Presently, the sales are high; however, there are many de

    Employee Benefits as Motivation for Long-Term Employment

    Determine whether or not these types of benefits would motivate you as an employee for a long-term commitment. Support your reasoning. Determine whether or not these benefits could create more of a balance between family and work. Provide at least two examples to support your reasoning. Review the benefits listed as "Other Servi

    Short Term Financing, Motivation, Compounded Interest, Demographics

    1.1 Discuss the three approaches to short-term financing problem and provide relevant examples of each. 1.2 Identify and discuss the characteristics of motives that may help a manager to understand employee motivation. 1.3 Assume that you need to have exactly N$40 000 saved 10 years from now .How much should you deposit to

    Employee Performance Evaluations: Increase Productivity

    The case question: How can evaluating employee performance increase productivity and motivate employees? Evaluations can be a supportive way to provide employee feedback on how individual achievements contribute to the overall success of the organization. This shows the employee how their actions impact the organization; per

    Drives Behind Work Motivation

    Read the article (http://hbr.org/2008/07/employee-motivation-a-powerful-new-model/ar/1) and in a 4-5 pages paper address the following expectations: 1. In your own words, explain what the four drives that underlie motivation are according to the authors. Discuss these needs in length and provide examples for each 2. W

    Employee Empowerment and Motivation

    Research indicates that many employees who have input into job design and who are given greater responsibility frequently show far greater motivation. These innovative ideas are considered forms of employee empowerment. Answer the following questions: What exactly is employee empowerment? What are the pros from the perspect

    Motivation and Motivational Theory: a personal example of motivation

    To motivate someone, match a motivational theory that will identify what makes that person tick. After identifying this person's motivational characteristics, you should be able to motivate this person. Using yourself as an example, do you feel these theories work to motivate you, or is there a better way you can be motivated? E

    Stress and Motivation in the Workplace

    Stress can decrease motivation for employees to work at their best. Stress may cause a significant distraction to the employee's typical job duties, causing problems in output. Employee motivation can decrease over time when the same job duties are done; day in and day out. The solution provides a detailed discussion on how stre

    Company Morale and Motivation

    I need help with a PPT on this case study: The B.R. Richardson Timber Products Corporation in Papoose, Oregon, was seeking guidance concerning the possibility of a motivational course presentation for its employees. Richard Bowman, the industrial relations officer, had been informed that Jack Lawler would be a good contact f

    Motivational Plan: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

    Motivational Plan. You, as a sales manager, will identify why we should motivate salespeople and create a motivational plan. Use different methods and ideas. Do not just use common motivational tools such as bonuses and monetary incentives - be creative. Include the following: - Describe intrinsic motivators for your sales