Motivation theories

Question 1

Define Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory

Answer 1

peice-rate: payment to a worker for each unit produced (increase productivity level)

Question 2

What are the steps for Taylor’s Theory?

Answer 2

1. Select people
2. Record them.
3. Time them and train them based on results
4. Continue supervising them

Question 3

Mayo’s Human Relations Theories

Answer 3

• working in a team improves productivity
  -giving workers more control (e.g. when they take breaks) improves motivation
  -changes in working conditions and pay levels have little effect on productivity
  -consulting with workers is important

Question 4

What significance does Mayo’s work have today?

Answer 4

-HR was established to put the Hawthorne effect into place
- more worker participation
-opens up new fields of research

Question 5

What is Hawthorne’s effect?

Answer 5

Alteration of behaviour as subjects are being watched.

Question 6

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer 6

Identifying and classifying the main needs that humans have as our needs determine our actions.

Question 7

How does the triangle work?

Answer 7

Once a need has been satisfied, it will no longer act as motivation so they move up the triangle

Question 8

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs: THE TRIANGLE

Answer 8

5. Self-Actualization
6. Esteem Needs (recognition of achievements)
7. Social Needs (acceptance and social facilities)
8. Safety Needs
9. Physical Needs

Question 9

Limitations of Maslow’s HON

Answer 9

Not everyone has the same needs, time-consuming + difficult to identify everything, self-actualization can never be achieved.

Question 10

Herzberg’s two-factor theory

Answer 10

Hygiene factors and motivation factors are two different things. Without hygiene factors, people are dissatisfied but with hygiene factors, there is no increase in motivation per se.

Question 11

Hygiene Factors

Answer 11

Characteristics associated with job dissatisfaction. Without them there’s dissatisfaction but with them there is no increase in motivation or positive satisfaction.

Question 12

Job enrichment

Answer 12

Aims to use the full capabilities of the workers by giving them more challenging/fulfilling work.

Question 13

3 main features of Job Enrichment

Answer 13

1. Complete units of work, more variety with no mass production.
2. Feedback: two-way Communication
3. A range of tasks

Question 14

McClelland’s three types of motivational need.

Answer 14

1. Achievement motivation; feedback regarding progress and helps provide a sense of accomplishment.
2. Affiliation motivation; the need for friendly relationships and motivation by interacting with others.
3. Authority motivation; the need to be influential and recognized, to make an impact.

Question 15

Process theory

Answer 15

The thought process that influences behavior, what do people think about when they decide to put effort into a particular activity.

Question 16

Vroom’s expectancy theory

Answer 16

Individuals will choose to behave in ways they think will lead to results that they value.
There is a positive link between effort and performance.
NOTE: Expectancy, Instrumentality (confidence), and Valence (depth of desire for an intrinsic/extrinsic reward)