Similarities and differences between Lawrence and Nohria’s Four Drive Theory and Locke and Latham’s Goal Setting Theory

AOS2 SAC PART A

Lawrence and Nohria’s Four Drive Theory

The Four Drive Theory is a motivational theory that suggests that people strive to balance four fundamental desires.

Locke and Latham’s Goal Setting Theory

The Goal Setting Theory is a motivation theory that states that employees
are motivated by clearly defined goals that fulfil five key principles.

Similarities

1. Both theories recognise that employees are motivated to achieve success. This can be through the drive to acquire a higher position or achieve the goal of being promoted to a position with more responsibility.

2. Both suggest that multiple factors motivate an employee at any given time. All four drives may be active

   simultaneously, and business goals should incorporate multiple principles simultaneously.

Differences

1. The Goal Setting Theory involves employee input, whereas the Four Drive Theory is applied by a manager alone.

2. The Goal Setting Theory requires a manager to address each employee individually, which is not necessary when applying the Four Drive Theory.

3. The Goal Setting Theory believes that an individual can be motivated through purely intrinsic factors, whereas the Four Drive Theory also addresses extrinsic motivators through the drive to acquire.