Motivating Employees

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of McGregor's Theory X?

The creative potential of employees

The need for employees to avoid responsibility

The importance of setting difficult goals

The negative view of human nature and behavior (correct)

What is the main idea of Goal Setting Theory?

Employees are motivated by job security

Autonomy and feedback are the primary motivators

Goals increase performance and difficult goals result in higher performance (correct)

Employees are driven by their need for power

What is the primary characteristic of employees according to Theory Y?

They are creative and enjoy work (correct)

They are lazy and avoid responsibility

They are motivated by their need for power

They are driven by their need for affiliation

What is the goal of vertical expansion in job design?

To give employees responsibilities and controls formerly reserved for managers Signup and view all the answers

What is the need for affiliation driven by?

The drive for friendly and close interpersonal relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is the main assumption of Theory X?

Employees are lazy and avoid responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of setting difficult goals?

It increases performance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of job enrichment?

Expanding jobs vertically to increase autonomy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of creating natural work units?

To increase employee 'ownership' of the work Signup and view all the answers

What influences an individual's behavior according to the content?

The expectation that the act will be followed by a given outcome and the attractiveness of that outcome Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of establishing client relationships?

To establish direct relationships between employees and clients Signup and view all the answers

What is the first question to ask according to the content?

How hard do I have to work to achieve a certain level of performance? Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the three questions to ask?

To understand employee motivation Signup and view all the answers

What is the third question to ask according to the content?

How attractive is that reward to me, and does it help me achieve my personal goals? Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of motivation in an organization?

To direct a person's effort towards attaining a goal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a higher order need according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Self-actualization Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between motivators and hygiene factors?

Motivators are intrinsic, while hygiene factors are extrinsic Signup and view all the answers

According to McClelland's 3 Needs Theory, which of the following is an acquired need?

Need for achievement Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the measure of intensity, drive, and vigor in an individual's motivation?

Energy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following management practices is likely to enhance motivation?

Participation in decision making Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Herzberg's 2 Theory, also known as the Motivation-Hygiene Theory?

Distinguishing between motivators and hygiene factors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a lower order need according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Physiological needs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of open feedback channels?

To provide employees with direct feedback on their performance Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of designing jobs deliberately and thoroughly?

To reflect the demands of the changing environment and organization's technology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between job enlargement and job enrichment?

Job enlargement increases job scope, while job enrichment increases job depth Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concept behind Adams' Equity Theory?

Employees compare their job inputs and outcomes with others Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of combining tasks in job design?

To put fragmented tasks back together to form a new work module Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Vroom's Expectancy Theory?

To explain how employees are motivated by the expectation of reward and recognition Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of job enrichment?

Increased job depth and control over work Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of job design?

To design motivating jobs that increase employee satisfaction and morale Signup and view all the answers

What is a common bias in motivation theories?

Cultural bias in motivation theories developed in the US Signup and view all the answers

What motivates professionals?

Job challenge and support Signup and view all the answers

What is an effective reward program for low-skilled and minimum wage workers?

Recognition program and sincere appreciation Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of open book management?

Sharing financial statements with all employees Signup and view all the answers

What is a universal motivator according to Herzberg's motivation theory?

Desire for interesting work Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of pay for performance plans?

Variable compensation plans based on performance Signup and view all the answers

What do contingent workers desire?

The opportunity to be permanent or receive training Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of employee recognition programs?

Personal attention and expressing interest and approval Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Motivation

Motivation is the process by which a person's effort is energized, directed, and sustained towards attaining a goal.
Elements of motivation:
- Energy: measure of intensity, drive, and vigor
- Direction: channeled to benefit the organization or cause
- Persistence

Early Theories of Motivation

Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory

Motivators: intrinsic factors that increase job satisfaction and motivation
Hygiene factors: extrinsic factors that eliminate job dissatisfaction but do not motivate

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Higher-order needs:
- Self-actualization: become what they are capable of becoming
- Esteem: internal factors such as self-respect, achievement, and external factors such as status, recognition, and attention
- Social: affection, belongingness, acceptance, and friendship
Lower-order needs:
- Safety: security and protection from physical and emotional harm
- Physiological: food, drink, shelter, sexual satisfaction, and other physical needs

McClelland's Three Needs Theory

Three acquired needs:
- Need for achievement: drive to succeed and excel in relation to a set of expectations
- Need for power: need to make others behave in a way they would not have behaved otherwise
- Need for affiliation: drive for friendly and close interpersonal relationships

McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y

Theory X:
- Negative view of people
- Employees dislike work, are lazy, avoid responsibility, and must be coerced to perform
Theory Y:
- Positive view of people
- Employees are creative, enjoy work, seek responsibility, and exercise self-direction

Contemporary Theories of Motivation

Goal-Setting Theory

Proposition that says goals increase performance, and difficult goals result in higher performance than easy goals

Designing Motivating Jobs

Job enlargement: horizontal expansion of a job by increasing job scope
Job enrichment: vertical expansion of the job, adding planning and evaluation responsibility
Guidance to job design:
- Combine tasks
- Create natural work units
- Establish client relationships

Adams' Equity Theory

An employee compares their job input-outcomes with that of relevant others and then corrects any inequity

Vroom's Expectancy Theory

Individual tends to act in a certain way based on the expectation that the act will be followed by a given outcome and on the attractiveness of that outcome to the individual

Current Issues in Motivation

Managing cross-cultural motivational challenges
Motivating unique groups of workers:
- Diverse workforces
- Professionals
- Contingent workers
- Low-skilled and minimum wage workers
Designing appropriate reward programs:
- Open-book management
- Employee recognition programs
- Pay for performance

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Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of management practices that enhance employee motivation, including participation in decision making, job design, and group relations. Test your knowledge of motivational elements and their impact on employee effort and goal attainment.