Motivation and job satisfaction are important because workers spend one-third to one-half of their lives at work. Theories of motivation can be divided into content theories, which focus on the importance of work itself, and process theories, which deal with decision-making. Content theories include achievement motivation theory, need hierarchy theory, and ERG theory. Process theories include the motivator-hygiene theory, job characteristics theory, equity theory, and goal-setting theory. While overall job satisfaction has remained steady, satisfaction is lower for government workers. Personal characteristics like age, gender, cognitive ability, and personality can impact job satisfaction. Low job satisfaction can lead to issues like absenteeism and turnover.

1. Motivation and Job Satisfaction Why is this important? Are you tired of unmotivated, uninterested, and inept workers? One-third to one-half your life is spent at work!!

2. Theories of Motivation Content Theories: Focus on the importance of the work (e.g., challenges and responsibilities) Specific needs that motivate human behavior Process Theories: Deal with the cognitive processes used in making decisions about our work

3. Content Theories Achievement Motivation Theory: David McClelland. Emphasizes need to accomplish something. Linked to successful managers Favor environment where they can assume responsibility Take calculated risks and set attainable goals Need continuing recognition and feedback Managers high in achievement motivation show more respect for subordinates and use more participatory systems

4. Need Hierarchy Theory Abraham Maslow: proposed that we have a hierarchy of needs. Once one is fulfilled we can move on to the next Physiological Safety Belonging and Love Esteem Self-Actualization

5. ERG Theory Alderfer Similar to Maslow. We have needs, but in this case they are not hierarchically arranged Satisfying a need may increase its strength Existence Needs Relatedness Needs Growth Needs

6. Motivator-Hygiene (Two Factor) Theory Motivator Needs: internal to work itself. If conditions are met, job satisfaction occurs Job enrichment: expand a job to give employee a greater role in planning, performing, and evaluating their work Hygiene Needs: Features of work environment. If not met, job dissatisfaction occurs

7. Job Characteristics Theory If employees have a high need for growth, specific job characteristics lead to psychological conditions that lead to increased motivation, performance, and satisfaction. Skill variety Unity of a job Task significance Autonomy Feedback

8. Process Theories Valence-Instrumentality-Expectancy (VIE) Theory: people will work hard if they expect their effort to lead to reward Importance of outcome determines its strength as a motivator – supported by research

9. Equity Theory Motivation is influenced by how fairly we feel we are treated at work Benevolent Workers: martyrs. Feel guilt when rewarded Equity Workers: Sensitive to fairness. Normal Entitled Workers

10. Goal-Setting Theory Idea that our primary motivation on the job is defined in terms of our desire to achieve a particular goal Research shows that having goals leads to better performance than not having goals Specific goals are more motivating than general Moderately difficult goals are most motivating

11. High Performance Cycle Expands on Goal Setting Theory Specific, attainable goals influenced by Moderators (commitment to goal, self-efficacy, task difficulty, feedback) and Mediating Mechanisms (universal task strategies such as direction of attention, effort and persistence)

12. Job Satisfaction Overall measures of satisfaction may be too broad: current measures address different facets of job satisfaction Overall job satisfaction rate has remained the same for over 50 years Rates are much lower for government workers When people say they are satisfied, they often mean they are not dissatisfied!!

13. Personal Characteristics and Job Satisfaction Age: in general, increases with age Malcontents have stopped working Older workers have greater chance of fulfillment Gender: inconclusive results Race: whites are happier Cognitive Ability: slight negative relationship between level of education and satisfaction

14. Personal Characteristics, Cont. Use of Skills Job Congruence Personality: less alienation and internal locus of control lead to higher satisfaction Occupational Level: the higher the status level the greater the satisfaction

15. Low Satisfaction and Job Behavior Absenteeism: any given day 16-20% of workers miss work. Costs businesses $30 billion dollars a year Younger have higher absence rates Rates are influenced by economic conditions Turnover: Not always a bad thing! Functional Turnover: when bad workers leave Dysfunctional Turnover