motivation chapter 11 Flashcards
motivation
the internal and external factors that stimulate the desire in workers to be continually interested in, and committed to, doing a job well. . managers have to identity employees needs and wants
why motivation matters
helps an organization to achieve its own objectives as cost effectively as possible. the highest motivation results from employees being able to satisfy their own needs, but at the same time working towards the aims of the organisation.
benefits of well motivated workers
low labour turnover. low absenteeism, high productivity, make suggestions for improvements, prepared to accept responsibility
Needs that can be satisfied at work
social connections by working in groups or teams, challenge by providing different work tasks and chance of promotion, significance by praising and recognizing performance, certainty by providing employment contracts and some job security
what do theories of motivation focus on
those human needs that energize and direct human behavior. how managers can create conditions that allows workers to satisfy these needs
Taylor and scientific management
aim is to reduce level of inefficiency that existed. he wanted to advise management on the best ways to increase worker performance and productivity.
Taylor’s scientific approach to improving worker output or productivity
select workers performing a task
observe them performing the task and note the key elements of it
record the time taken to do each part of the task
identify the quickest method recorded
train all workers in this quickest method and do no allow any changes to it
supervise workers to ensure that this best way is being carried out and time them to check that the set time is not being exceeded
pay workers on the basis of results, based on the economic man theory
economic man theory
people are motivated by money alone and the only factor that could stimulate further effort is the chance of earning more money.
economic man theory and Taylor’s scientific approach
the basis of Taylor’s main motivational suggestion. wage levels based on output. he always maintained that workers should be paid a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, it can be achieved through piece rate
piece rate
payment to a worker for each unit produced
Results of Taylor’s work
the more common view is that workers have a wide range of needs that can be met from work.
employees are selected carefully.
performance of workers are observed and recorded (time and motion study)
workers participation in devising the best working methods in now encouraged
piecework rate
mayo and human relations theories
working conditions in themselves were not important in determining productivity levels. other motivational factors needed to be investigated before conclusions could be drawn.
the Hawthorne effect: the conclusions of Mayo’s work
changes in working conditions and pay levels have little or no effect in productivity
consultation with workers improve motivation
working in teams and developing a team spirit can improve productivity
giving workers some control over their own working lives, such as deciding when to take breaks, improves motivation
groups can establish their own targets, and these can be greatly influenced by the informal leaders of the group.
evaluation of Mayo’s research for today’s businesses
there has been more participation by workers in business decision-making.
human resources departments have been established to try to put the Hawthorne effect into practice.
team or group working is applied in many types of modern business organisation, offers the greatest opportunities for workers and businesses to benefit from the Hawthorne effect.
Idea of involving workers, taking an interest in their welfare and finding out their individual goals, has opened up new fields of research for industrial psychologists.
Importance of Maslow and human needs to business managers
our needs determine our actions- we will always try to satisfy them, and we will be motivated to do so.
if work can be organised so that some or all needs of employees can be satisfied at work, then they will become more productive and satisfied.
self actualization
a sense of self-fulfillment reached by feeling enriched and developed by what one has learned and achieved
hierarchy of needs from lowest to highest
physical needs
safety needs
social needs
esteem needs
self-actualization
interpretation of hierarchy of needs
individuals needs to start on the lowest level
once one level is satisfied, one will go to the next
self actualization is not reached by many people, but everyone is capable of reaching their potential
once a need has been satisfied, it will no longer motivate individuals to action
reversion is possible
how self-actualization may be satisfied at work by effective HRM
challenging work that stretches the individual will give a sense of achievement; opportunities to develop and apply new skills will increase potential
how esteem needs may be satisfied at work by effective HRM
recognition for work done well-status advancement and responsibility-will gain the respect of others
how social/belonging needs may be satisfied at work by effective HRM
working in teams or groups and ensuring good communication to make workers feel involved
how safety needs may be satisfied at work by effective HRM
a contract of employment with some job security; a structured organisation that gives clear lines of authority to reduce uncertainty; ensuring health and safety conditions are met
how physical needs may be satisfied at work by effective HRM
income from employment high enough to meet essential needs
limitations of Maslow’s approach
not everyone has the same needs, as is assumed by the hierarchy
in practice it can be very difficult to identify the degree to which each need has been met and which level a worker is on
money is necessary to satisfy physical needs, yet it might also play a role in satisfying the other levels of needs. high incomes can increase status and esteem.
self-actualization is never permanently achieved. Jobs must continually offer challenges and opportunities for fulfillment, otherwise regression will occur