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AS Business Studies Theme 1 > Motivation in Theory and Practice > Flashcards

Flashcards in Motivation in Theory and Practice Deck (31)
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1
Q

What are the benefits of a more motivated workforce?

A
  • Increased productivity and reduced unit costs
  • Reduced absenteeism and labour turnover
  • Fewer industrial disputes
  • Better quality goods and customer service
2
Q

What are examples of financial motivators?

A
  • Piece rate
  • Commission
  • Performance related pay
  • Bonuses
  • Profit sharing
3
Q

What are examples of non-financial motivators?

A
  • Team working
  • Job enrichment
  • Job rotation
  • Job enlargement
  • Delegation
  • Consultation
  • Empowerment
  • Flexible working
4
Q

What are the advantages of financial incentives?

A
  • Can motivate employees who see money as an incentive
  • Can encourage employees to work towards organisational objectives
  • Can reduce the need for supervisors
5
Q

What are the disadvantages of financial incentives?

A
  • May encourage employees to focus on one foals at the expense of others (e.g. quantity over quality)
  • May discourage a team based approach
  • How easy is it to measure employee performance?
  • Not all employees are motivated by money
6
Q

What factors should successful job design include?

A

Change, Challenge, Closure, Control, Co-operation

7
Q

Who was Taylor and what was his theory of motivation?

A

Taylor was a motivational theorist born in 1856 who developed the theory of scientific management. The theory involves identifying the most efficient methods of production and then training other employees to work in the same way.

8
Q

Who was Mayo and what was his theory of motivation?

A

Mayo was a motivational theorist born in 1880 who developed the theory of human relations. The theory involved changing variables such as hours of work, rest periods and lighting and heating and analysing the effects. It was found that whatever changes were made, motivation increased.

9
Q

Who was Maslow and what was his theory of motivation?

A

Maslow was a motivational theorist born in 1908 who developed the theory of the hierarchy of needs. He believed motivation could be improved by offering different incentives to employees in order, to help them fulfil each need in turn and move up the hierarchy.

10
Q

Who was Herzberg and what was his theory of motivation?

A

Herzberg was a motivational theorist who developed the two factor theory. He developed the idea of two factors: hygiene factors (which reduce dissatisfaction - pay, working conditions, job security) and motivators (those that directly motivate people to work harder - sense of achievement, responsibility, promotions, delegation).

11
Q

What are the problems with Taylor’s theory?

A
  • Is there only one best way of doing things?

- To what extent are people motivated by money?

12
Q

What are the problems with Mayo’s theory?

A
  • Is it possible to worker and managerial goals?

- Groups may form negative norms

13
Q

What are the problems with Maslow’s theory?

A

Not every individual satisfies needs in this order.

14
Q

What are the problems with Herzberg’s theory?

A

The research was based on a group of professionals - can it be applied to all professions/jobs?

15
Q

Define THE HAWTHORNE EFFECT

A

The hawthorne effect is when the motivation, productivity and morale of employees is increased due to their managers paying attention to them. Related to Mayo’s theory of motivation, human relations.

16
Q

What are the levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

A
Self actualisation
Esteem needs
Belongingness needs
Safety needs 
Psychological needs
17
Q

Define DELEGATION

A

Delegation is the passing of authority down the hierarchy.

18
Q

Define CONSULTATION

A

Consultation is the process of discussing issues with employees before making decisions.

19
Q

Define EMPOWERMENT

A

Empowerment is the delegation of responsibility to employees allowing them to use their abilities to have a greater say in decision making.

20
Q

Define TEAMWORKING

A

Team working is where employees are organised into teams and work together in order to meet set objectives.

21
Q

Define FLEXIBLE WORKING

A

Flexible working involves allowing employees to vary their working hours to suit them and to fit in with their other commitments.

22
Q

Define JOB ROTATION

A

Job rotation is where employees carries out a number of different tasks and moves between the tasks they are responsible for.

23
Q

Defne JOB ENLARGEMENT

A

Job enlargement involves increasing the number, rather than the level, of responsibilities an employee has.

24
Q

Define JOB ENRICHMENT

A

Job enrichment is an increase in the level of responsibility that an employee has.

25
Q

Define a COMMISSION

A

Commission is a form of payment tat rewards the employees by giving them a percentage of their sales as a financial reward.

26
Q

Define a BONUS

A

A bonus is the payment of a discretionary lump sum to an employee, normally based on predetermined criteria. They may be one off or regular.

27
Q

Define PIECE RATE

A

A piece rate is where employees are paid a set amount for each item of work they complete. This makes it easy to ensure that the employee is being paid the correct amount for the work done.

28
Q

Define PROFIT SHARING

A

Profit sharing is a financial incentive when a proportion of an employee’s pay varies depending on the profits of the business. Employees therefore see rewards when the business is doing well.

29
Q

Define PERFORMANCE RELATED PAY

A

Performance related pay is where part of an employee’s salary is linked to their performance in the job.

30
Q

Define FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

A

Financial incentives are the variety of methods that have a monetary value and are used to reward the workforce and influence their behaviour at work.

31
Q

Define NON FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

A

Non financial incentives are methods of motivating employees through job design rather than monetary rewards.