Motivation

Motivation -- Concepts
Concepts
Dr. Anil Anand Pathak, Associate Professor, Organizational
Behaviour, MDI Gurgaon

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Chapter
Chapter Learning
Learning Objectives
Objectives
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
Describe the three elements of motivation.
Identify four early theories of motivation and evaluate their
applicability today.
Apply the predictions of the self-determination theory to intrinsic
and extrinsic rewards.
Compare and contrast goal-setting theory and management by
objectives.
Contrast reinforcement theory and goal-setting theory.
Demonstrate how organizational justice is a refinement of equity
theory.
Apply the key tenets of expectancy theory to motivating
employees.
Compare contemporary theories of motivation.
Explain to what degree motivation theories are culture-bound.
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Defining
Defining Motivation
Motivation
The result of the interaction between the individual and the
situation.
The processes that account for an individuals
intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward
attaining a goal specifically, an organizational goal.
Three key elements:
Intensity how hard a person tries
Direction effort that is channeled toward, and
consistent with, organizational goals
Persistence how long a person can maintain effort

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Early
Early Theories
Theories of
of Motivation
Motivation
These early theories may not be valid, but they do form the
basis for contemporary theories and are still used by
practicing managers.
1.Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Theory
2.McGregors Theory X and Theory Y
3.Herzbergs Two-Factor Theory
4.McClellands Theory of Needs

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1.
1. Maslows
Maslows Hierarchy
Hierarchy of
of Needs
Needs
There is a hierarchy of five needs. As each need is substantially
satisfied, the next need becomes dominant.
Self-Actualization
Assumptions

Higher Order
Internal
Lower Order
External

Individuals cannot
move to the next
higher level until
all needs at the
current (lower)
level are satisfied
Must move in
hierarchical order

See E X H I B I T 7-1
See E X H I B I T 7-1

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2.
2. McGregors
McGregors Theory
Theory XX and
and Theory
Theory
YY

Two distinct views of human beings: Theory X

(basically negative) and Theory Y (positive).

Managers used a set of assumptions based on their view

The assumptions molded their behavior toward employees
Theory X

No empirical evidence to support this theory.

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3.
3. Herzbergs
Herzbergs Two-Factor
Two-Factor Theory
Theory
Key Point: Satisfaction and dissatisfaction are not opposites
but separate constructs
Hygiene Factors

Extrinsic and
Related to
Dissatisfaction

Intrinsic and
Related to
Satisfaction

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Criticisms
Criticisms of
of the
the Two-Factor
Two-Factor Theory
Theory
Herzberg says that hygiene factors must be met to remove
dissatisfaction. If motivators are given, then satisfaction
can occur.
Herzberg is limited by his methodology
Participants had self-serving bias

Reliability of raters questioned

Bias or errors of observation

No overall measure of satisfaction was used

Herzberg assumed, but didnt research, a strong
relationship between satisfaction and productivity

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4.
4. McClellands
McClellands Three
Three Needs
Needs Theory
Theory
Need for Achievement (nAch)
The drive to excel, to achieve in relation to a set of
standards, to strive to succeed

Need for Power (nPow)

The need to make others behave in a way that they would
not have behaved otherwise

Need for Affiliation (nAff)

The desire for friendly and close interpersonal relationships

People have varying levels of each of the three needs.

Hard to measure

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Performance
Performance Predictions
Predictions for
for High-nAch
High-nAch
People
People
People with a high need for achievement are likely to:
Prefer to undertake activities with a 50/50 chance of success,
avoiding very low- or high-risk situations
Be motivated in jobs that offer high degree of personal
responsibility, feedback, and moderate risk
Not necessarily make good managers too personal a focus.
Most good general managers are NOT high on nAch
Need high level of nPow and low nAff for managerial
success

Good research support, but it is not a very practical

theory

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Contemporary
Contemporary Theories
Theories of
of
Motivation
Motivation

1. Self-Determination Theory
2. Goal-Setting Theory

Management by Objectives (MBO)

. Self-Efficacy Theory
Also known as Social Cognitive Theory or Social Learning
Theory

1. Reinforcement Theory
2. Equity Theory
3. Expectancy Theory

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1.
1. Self-Determination
Self-Determination Theory
Theory
People prefer to feel they have control over their actions, so
anything that makes a previously enjoyed task feel more like an
obligation than a freely chosen activity will undermine
motivation.
Major Implications for Work Rewards

Intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are not independent

Extrinsic rewards may decrease intrinsic rewards
Goal setting is more effective in improving motivation
Verbal rewards increase intrinsic motivation; tangible rewards
reduce it

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2.
2. Lockes
Lockes Goal-Setting
Goal-Setting Theory
Theory
Basic Premise:
That specific and difficult goals, with self-generated
feedback, lead to higher performance

Difficult Goals:

Focus and direct attention

Energize the person to work harder
Difficulty increases persistence
Force people to be more effective and efficient

Relationship between goals and performance depends on:

Goal commitment (the more public the better!)
Task characteristics (simple, well-learned)
Culture

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Implementation
Implementation of
of Goal-Setting:
Goal-Setting: Management
Management by
by
Objectives
Objectives
MBO is a systematic way to utilize goal-setting.
Goals must be:
Tangible
Verifiable
Measurable

Corporate goals are broken down into smaller,

more specific goals at each level of organization.
Four common ingredients to MBO programs:

Goal specificity
Participative decision making
Explicit time period
Performance feedback

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3.
3. Banduras
Banduras Self-Efficacy
Self-Efficacy Theory
Theory
Self-efficacy is an individuals belief that he or she is
capable of performing a task.
Higher efficacy is related to:
Greater confidence
Greater persistence in the face of difficulties
Better response to negative feedback (work harder)

Self-efficacy complements goal-setting theory

Increased Confidence
Given Hard Goal

Higher Performance
Higher Self-Set Goal

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Increasing
Increasing Self-Efficacy
Self-Efficacy
Enactive mastery
Most important source of efficacy
Gaining relevant experience with task or job
Practice makes perfect

Vicarious modeling
Increasing confidence by watching others perform the task
Most effective when observer sees the model to be similar to himor herself

Verbal persuasion
Motivation through verbal conviction
Pygmalion and Galatea effects self-fulfilling prophecies

Arousal
Getting psyched up emotionally aroused to complete task
Can hurt performance if emotion is not a component of the task
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4.
4. Reinforcement
Reinforcement Theory
Theory
Similar to goal-setting theory, but focused on a
behavioral approach rather than a cognitive one.
Behavior is environmentally caused
Thought (internal cognitive event) is not important
Feelings, attitudes, and expectations are ignored

Behavior is controlled by its consequences reinforcers

Is not a motivational theory but a means of analysis of
behavior
Reinforcement strongly influences behavior but is not likely
to be the sole cause

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5.
5. Adams
Adams Equity
Equity Theory
Theory
Employees compare their ratios of outcomes-to-inputs
of relevant others.
When ratios are equal: state of equity exists there is no
tension as the situation is considered fair
When ratios are unequal: tension exists due to unfairness
Underrewarded states cause anger
Overrewarded states cause guilt

Tension motivates people to act to bring their situation into

equity

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Equity
Equity Theorys
Theorys Relevant
Relevant Others
Others
There can be four referent comparisons:
SelfInside
The persons experience in a different job in the same
organization

SelfOutside
The persons experience in a different job in a different
organization

OtherInside
Another individual or group within the organization

OtherOutside
Another individual or group outside of the organization
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Reactions
Reactions to
to Inequity
Inequity
Employee behaviors to create equity:

Change inputs (slack off)

Change outcomes (increase output)
Distort/change perceptions of self
Distort/change perceptions of others
Choose a different referent person
Leave the field (quit the job)

Propositions relating to inequitable pay:

Paid by time:
Overrewarded employees produce more
Underrewarded employees produce less with low quality

Paid by quality:
Overrewarded employees give higher quality
Underrewarded employees make more of low quality

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Justice
Justice and
and Equity
Equity Theory
Theory

Overall perception
of what is fair in the
workplace.

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6.
6. Vrooms
Vrooms Expectancy
Expectancy Theory
Theory
The strength of a tendency to act in a certain way
depends on the strength of an expectation that the act
will be followed by a given outcome and on the
attractiveness of the outcome to the individual.
Expectancy of
performance
success

Instrumentality
of success in
getting reward

Valuation of the
reward in
employees eyes

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Integrating
Integrating Contemporary
Contemporary Motivation
Motivation Theories
Theories
Based on Expectancy Theory

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Global
Global Implications
Implications
Motivation theories are often culture-bound.
Maslows hierarchy of needs theory
Order of needs is not universal

McClellands three needs theory

nAch presupposes a willingness to accept risk and performance
concerns not universal traits

Adams equity theory

A desire for equity is not universal
Each according to his need socialist/former communists

Desire for interesting work seems to be universal.

There is some evidence that the intrinsic factors of
Herzbergs two-factor theory may be universal

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Summary
Summary and
and Managerial
Managerial
Implications
Implications

Need Theories (Maslow, Alderfer, McClelland,

Herzberg)
Well known, but not very good predictors of behavior

Goal-Setting Theory
While limited in scope, good predictor

Reinforcement Theory
Powerful predictor in many work areas

Equity Theory
Best known for research in organizational justice

Expectancy Theory
Good predictor of performance variables but shares many of
the assumptions as rational decision making
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