This document discusses whether money is a motivator based on supporting references from various sources. While money can be a motivator for some employees and is seen as a primary reward, theorists argue that other non-financial needs are also important motivators. In conclusion, while money is an important factor, it is not the dominant motivator and recent studies have identified other motivators that can be more effective than financial compensation alone.

1. UGANDA MARTYRS UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Organisational Behaviour
Individual Assignment
“With Supporting References Discuss Whether Money Is a Motivator”
Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of
Masters of Information Systems (PT),
Year of Study II
Uganda Martyrs University
For
Bwegyeme Jacinta
By

2. Mwase Maria
2010 – M132 – 20021
8th June, 2012

3. WITH SUPPORTING REFERENCES, DISCUSS WHETHER MONEY IS A MOTIVATOR
Motivation is considered to be the reason or driving force behind someone’s actions or behaviour
according to Oxford (2011); while money is an acceptable means of payment for goods provided or
services rendered.
According to Bennett (1997), F.W. Taylor argued that managers and employers see money offered
inform of high wages is a primary motivator or reward for employee effort. As a dominant motivator,
money has the ability to purchase a wide variety of goods and services; it indicates occupational
competence; while offering a yardstick for evaluating individual success and providing a simple way to
reward workers
However theorists such as Hawthorne indicate that people have other needs especially those related to
personal relationships. So while money is still important it is by no means the overriding one, Cole
(1996).
Writers like Herzberg, do not see money as the sole motivator of employees, he identified group and
social pressures as some of the factors that are known to influence workplace behaviour; stating that
many people who already possess far more money than they objectively need still work extremely hard.
Also, the concept of a ‘high wage’ is itself subjectively determined. A certain wage may be seen as
excellent b y one person but average or poor by others, Bennett (1997).
Furthermore, Cole (1996) offers strong evidence from the work of social scientists such as Herzberg and
Likert, stating that people seek self-actualisation at work with hopes of realising their full potential. This
implies that people seek more than financial returns from work; they are looking for opportunities to
exercise responsibility, obtain a sense of achievement and develop new ways of doing things.
What’s more, according to Writefix (2012), money trivialises work. Employees should view reaping the
end results of their efforts as the reward; as such money can be seen as making light of work done
particularly if the amount offered does not tally with the effort or work the employee has put in.
In conclusion, although money is considered to be an important motivating factor to some employees, to
a greater extent it is not the dominant motivator. Especially with recent studies having identified several
other motivators that influence behaviour more effectively than money; ranging from need for status,
self-actualization to a host of other group and social influences.

4. REFERENCES
Bennett, R. 1997. Framework: Management. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Press. 3rd Edition, ISBN
0273634089
Cole, G.A., 1996. Management Theory and Practice. Continuum Books: London. 5th Edition, ISBN
0826453910
Oxford Dictionary, 2011. Oxford Dictionaries. [Online] Available at: http://oxforddictionaries.com/
[Accessed 24 May 2012]
Writefix. 2012. Ideas: Money as a Motivator. [Online] Available at: http://writefix.com/?page_id=1799
[Accessed 24 May 2012]