1.4.4 - Motivation in Theory and Practice

What is motivation?

The factors influencing the way people behave, such as financial and non-financial incentives, individual character and desire to achieve a goal

What are benefits of employee motivation?

High labour productivity, low labour turnover, high retention rates, low unit costs, low absenteeism, reduced presentism, improved customer service and better workplace relations

What is Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory?

Workers should follow strict rules on how to produce products

• All tasks should be studied scientifically using a study of time and motion

• The most efficient way of carrying out a task will hence be identified

• Each employee can then be trained and instructed in exactly how to do a job in the most efficient manner

• Workers should be closely supervised

What is Mayo’s Human Relations Theory?

Believed that workers must be seen as members of a group, not individuals. He emphasised that informal group work increases productivity and workers had ‘social needs’ which should take precedence over other areas such as money as a motivator.

He found that motivation can be improved by consultation, paying an interest in workers, teamwork and some degree of autonomy in one’s working day

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory?

Based on seeing human needs as being place in order and each need must be fulfilled before moving onto the next

What is Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory?

Job satisfaction is a key factor to motivation which could be influenced both positively and negatively. Motivating factors include, if present, achievement, recognition, promotion and growth, which leads to job satisfaction and hence motivation

What are financial incentives to improve employee motivation?

The variety of methods that have a money value and are used to reward the workforce and influence their behaviour at work

What are some financial methods of motivation?

• Piece rate

• Commission

• Bonus

• Profit share

• Performance related pay (PRP)

What are some non-financial methods of motivation?

• Delegation

• Consultation

• Team working

• Flexible working

• Job enrichment (increasing level of responsibilities)

• Job enlargement (increasing number of responsibilities)

• Job rotation