Employee Motivation in Theory

What is motivation?

Motivation is the will to work, driven by either enjoyment of work or the desire to achieve goals like earning money or receiving promotions.

What are the two broad approaches to motivate employees?

1. Financial Methods: e.g., salary, bonus 2. Non-Financial Methods: e.g., responsibility, praise

What are the key points of Taylor's Scientific Management?

1. Managers should maintain close control and supervision. 2. Autocratic management style (managers make all decisions). 3. Consistent with McGregor's Theory X (workers are lazy, motivated only by money). 4. Motivating workers through piece-rate payment (based on production).

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Maslow suggests that there are five levels of human needs that must be fulfilled sequentially. Once a lower level is met, workers can be motivated by the next level’s need.

What are the two key factors in Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory?

1. Motivators: Responsibility, recognition, promotion opportunities (directly motivate workers). 2. Hygiene Factors: Pay, working conditions, job security (can de-motivate if not present, but don’t directly motivate).

What is employee engagement?

Employee engagement refers to a workplace approach where employees are committed to the organization’s goals and values, motivated to contribute, and enhance their own well-being.

What are the three main elements of employee engagement?

1. Intellectual Engagement: Thinking about the job and how to improve. 2. Affective Engagement: Feeling positive about doing a good job. 3. Social Engagement: Sharing work-related issues with others at work.

How do employee engagement and motivation differ?

1. Employee Engagement: Employees are deeply integrated into their work, supporting the organization's values. 2. Employee Motivation: Employees have a will to work, driven by incentives and satisfaction from work itself.