Motivation in the workplace Flashcards
Define the term motivation
Ones willingness to complete a task, more likely to result in business success as employees will have low absenteeism, better relationships, increased productivity and higher morale/culture
Describe Maslow’s motivation theory 1943
There is a pyramid and employees must satisfy their basic needs before moving onto the next level of the pyramid. The levels include : Basic (food and water), security ( job security), social (friends), self-esteem (praise) and self actualisation (posh car)
Advantages and disadvantages of Maslow’s theory
Adv - Takes human nature into consideration and is simple to understand compared to other motivation theories
Dis - difficult to measure, not all individuals feel the need to start from the bottom
Describe Herzberg’s motivation theory
Where there’s a mix of motivator factors ( actually motivate workers - praise and recognition) and hygiene factors ( make employees feel good but doesn’t directly motivate them - supervision, pay, security)
Advantages and disadvantages of Herzberg’s theory
Adv - increased job satisfaction as employees feel more empowered and enriched due to motivators
Dis - This theory is standardised as various jobs will require a different input of motivation or hygiene factors
Describe Taylor’s motivation theory
Assumed employees only work for money, so creates simple work methods to reduce time taken to complete a task. Encouragement to work harder with the promise of additional benefits.
He discovered employees only work hard when being supervised.
Advantages and disadvantages of Taylor’s theory
Adv - Managers can come up with more sufficient ways to increase workforce productivity, allowing them align workers pay with their output
Dis - Only focuses on financial and physical work of employees, ignoring social needs, very costly and time-consuming
Describe Mayo’s motivation theory
Similar to Taylor’s theory but Mayo’s focuses on meeting the social needs of workers rather than increasing employee pay.
Mayo discovered output and motivation improved when staff were being supervised or pressured by others
Advantages and disadvantages of Mayo’s theory
Adv - effective communication and coordination within a team, increases productivity as employees value satisfaction over money
Dis - More responsibility and higher stress levels to ensure staff social needs are met, there are also other factors that motivate employees other than social
What de-motivates employees ?
Unfair treatment, unnecessary business policies and procedures, goals and objectives being changed constantly, poor quality consultant from managers e.g. no rewards or recognition
Name some financial motivators
Salary, bonus, pension, overtime, fringe benefits and commission
Name some non-financial motivators
Job satisfaction, praise, self-worth, good work relationships, achievement
