3.6.4 Flashcards
motivation in theory and practice (39 cards)
what does motivation mean?
the will to work or want to work
what does a motivated workforce lead to?
- better productivity
- lower levels of absenteeism
- lower levels of staff turnover
- improved industrial relations with trade unions
- projects a positive brand image/reputation for the business
- improved product/service quality
who are the motivational theorists?
- Taylor -> scientific management theory
- Maslow -> hierarchy of needs theory
- Herzberg -> two factor theory
what is Taylor’s scientific management theory?
(autocratic leadership)
- workers do not naturally enjoy working so require high levels of monitoring
- production should be broken down into a series of small tasks
- workers need to be given appropriate training to work efficiently
- workers should be paid on a piece-rate basis
what are the pros to Taylor’s theory?
- guaranteed productivity
- workers can work harder to earn more unlike standard pay
what are the cons to Taylor’s theory?
- no autonomy given
- no trust of the workers -> seen as a number
what is Maslow’s hierarchy?
higher order of needs/motivates { self-actualisation - intellectual needs, fulfilling potential, achieving targets
{ esteem - self-respect, level of status
{ social - feeling wanted, part of the team
lower order of needs/hygiene factors { safety - safe working environment
{ physiological - basic needs e.g. food, shelter
what are the pros of Maslow’s hierarchy?
- takes into account employee needs -> increased motivation and chances of success -> values employees as an asset
- easier to identify a strategy to motivate employees at each level
what are the cons of Maslow’s hierarchy?
- not everyone is the same
- no links to efficiency
what is Herzberg’s two factor theory?
- hygiene factors do not motivate employees but if removed, can lead to demotivation
- motivators should be focused on through use of empowerment, job enrichment, enlargement and rotation
what are the pros to Herzberg’s theory?
- focuses on improving the working experience
- less time consuming
what are the cons to Herzberg’s theory?
- some employees may only be motivated by money -> overlooks this as a motivating factor
why do businesses give out financial rewards?
to motivate staff
what are examples of financial rewards?
- piecework
- commission
- bonus
- performance-related pay
what does piecework mean?
working in return for a payment per unit produced.
- pieceworkers receive no basic sick pay, holiday pay or pension
what are the pros of piecework?
- specialisation
- increases motivation
- businesses won’t have to pay a fixed salary
what are the cons of piecework?
- finding staff can be a problem
- can have high staff turnover
- quality will be diminished
what does a commission mean?
bonuses earned on top of a basic salary, usually in line with an achievement
- can be issued throughout the year
what are the pros of a commission?
- motivates employees -> the more they sell the more they earn
- keeps people in organisation -> lowers staff turnover
what are the cons of a commission?
- lose potential profit as it’s spent elsewhere (opportunity cost)
- no guarantee the employee(s) will receive the commission
what does a bonus mean?
typically linked to performance of the business or employee - > given one=ce a year
what are the pros of a bonus?
- incentive to perform well
- employee can earn more money
what are the cons of a bonus?
- demotivates employees if they receive a lower bonus then their subordinate -> can cause conflict
- tax implications -> will lead to a lower amount
what is an example/application of a bonus?
john lews hasn’t paid their employees a bonus for the fourth time in 5 years
