4. MOTIVATION
Motivation can be defined as the driving force
behind our actions, fuelled by our desire for
something. It is that internal strength that gets us
to move, and give 100% to whatever goal or end
we desire or plan to achieve. From a manager’s
point of view motivation is the process to
energise, direct and sustain your subordinates’
efforts to attain the goals.
5. CHARACTERISTICS OF
MOTIVATION
1. Motivation is a Psychological Concept
2. Motivation affects the Whole Individual, not part of Him
/Her
3. Motivation is never an Unending Process
4. Non-fulfilment of Basic Needs Makes a Man Sick
5. Goals are Motivators
6. Motivation is a complex phenomenon
7. Motivation is different from Satisfaction, Inspiration, and
Manipulation
6. Improves Performance
Level
Helps to Change Negative or
Indifferent Attitudes of
Employees
Reduction in Employee
Turnover
Helps to Reduce
Absenteeism in the
Organisation
Reduction in Resistance to
Change
IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVATION
7. Content theories focus on the factors within a person that
energize, direct, sustain and stop behaviour. They look at the
specific needs that motivate people. Content theorists include:
1. Abraham Maslow (Maslow’s Model)
2. Clayton P. Alerter (ERG Theory)
3. Fredrick Herzberg (Herzberg’s Two-factor Theory)
4. David C. McClelland (Mc Clellands’s Theory Of Needs)
Their theories have been helpful in discussing motivation, but
not all have been verified through research.
CONTENT THEORIES
13. Process theories provide a description and analysis of
how behaviour is energized, directed, sustained and
stopped. Four process theories are predominant:
• Reinforcement Theory
• Expectancy Theory
• Equity Theory
PROCESS THEORIES
14. Reinforcement theory of
motivation overlooks the internal
state of individual, i.e., The inner
feelings and drives of individuals
are ignored by skinner. This theory
focuses totally on what happens to
an individual when he takes some
action. Thus, according to skinner,
the external environment of the
organization must be designed
effectively and positively so as to
motivate the employee. This theory
is a strong tool for analysing
controlling mechanism for
individual’s behaviour. However, it
does not focus on the causes of
individual’s behaviour.
REINFORCEMENT THEORY
15. The Expectancy Model looks at how likely it
is that the performance and outcome will
occur. An individual makes voluntary choices
about:
(1) whether the job can be accomplished,
(2) whether the outcome will occur as a
result of performing
(3) whether the outcome will be desirable.
Although there have been many studies
testing this model, the type and makeup of
the studies raise the issue of whether the
results can be generalized. As a result, there
are major problems in the application of the
theory. Also, the complexity of the model
makes it difficult to understand. Nonetheless,
it is a theory that is commonly used in the
compensation field and is therefore relevant
to the discussion of incentive programs
EXPECTANCY MODEL
16. Equity theory is based on the assumption that
employees compare their efforts and rewards with those
of others in similar work situations. This theory
hypothesizes that individuals are motivated by a desire to
be treated equitably at work. Equity theory can be
viewed as comparing the effort expended and resulting
rewards of one person to the effort expended and
resulting rewards of a referenced person. If these are
viewed as equal or appropriate, then the first person
feels the treatment is fair and is motivated.
EQUITY THEORY
17. Motivational theories attempt to explain what motivates
people to behave the way they do. Motivational theories can
be applied to workplace settings to shed light into why some
employees work harder or are more committed than others,
which can lead managers to understand how to motivate each
employee to perform at peak levels. Understanding how to
apply motivational theories in the workplace can take your
leadership skills to the next level.
APPLICATION OF MOTIVATION IN
ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR