motivation

(noun)

Willingness of action, especially in behavior.

Related Terms

Examples of motivation in the following topics:

  • Introduction to Motivation

    • There are many approaches to motivation: physiological, behavioral, cognitive, and social.
    • Conceptually, motivation should not be confused with either volition or optimism.
    • Motivation is related to, but distinct from, emotion.
    • The Hawthorne studies found that employees are not motivated solely by money but motivation is linked to employee behavior and their attitudes.
    • Motivation theories often use the metaphor of a carrot dangling from a stick to describe how people are motivated to achieve goals.

  • Classical Theory of Motivation

    • Maslow's theory is one of the most widely discussed theories of motivation .
    • The American motivation psychologist Abraham H.
    • According to him, people are motivated by unsatisfied needs.
    • We can relate Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory with employee motivation.
    • The factors that motivate people can change over their lifetime, but "respect for me as a person" is one of the top motivating factors at any stage of life.

  • Brief history of traditional approaches to job design

    • Hertzberg's Motivation-Hygiene theory attempts to uncover psychological needs of employees and enhance employee satisfaction.
    • In regards to this theory employers are encouraged to design jobs that enhance and motivate employees beyond simply meeting a daily or weekly quota.
    • Simple recognition is often enough to motivate employees and increase job satisfaction (Herzberg's Motivation-Hygiene Theory).
    • Goal setting theory as described by Edwin Locke mainly focuses on the motivational properties of task goals (Schermerhorn, Job Design Alternatives, 2006).
    • Task goals can be highly motivating when set and managed properly.

  • Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory

    • To motivate employees management must enrich the content of the actual work they ask them to do.
    • Essentially, motivation factors are needed to motivate an employee to higher performance.
    • Herzberg argues that both motivation and hygiene are equally important, but that good hygiene will only lead to average performance, preventing dissatisfaction, but not, by itself, create a positive attitude or motivation to work.
    • To motivate the employee, management must enrich the content of the actual work they ask them to do.
    • Maslow's hierarchy captures the varying degree of needs by which humans are motivated.

  • Scheduling Work

    • Intrapreneurship is an example of motivation through job design, either formally or informally.
    • In addition, it is essential to design jobs that motivate employees.
    • Edwin Locke's Goal Setting Theory mainly focuses on the motivational properties of task goals (Schermerhorn).
    • Task goals can be highly motivating when set and managed properly.
    • Assess skills, needs, abilities, and motivations of employees and the organization.

  • Expectancy Theory

    • Assume an employee's performance is of the form P=f(M*A), where M is motivation and A is ability.
    • Motivation can be express as M=f(V*E), where V is valence and E is expectancy.
    • In essence, the motivation behind behavior selection is determined by the desirability of the outcome.
    • The formula for this force is: Motivational Force (MF) = Expectancy x Instrumentality x Valence
    • When deciding among behavioral options, individuals select the option with the greatest motivational force (MF).

  • Elton Mayo

    • It originated in the 1930s' Hawthorne Studies, which examined the effects of social relations, motivation, and employee satisfaction on factory productivity.
    • Where norms of cooperation and higher output were established because of a feeling of importance, physical conditions or financial incentives had little motivational value.

  • Preparation

    • Without this foundation, most attempts at sustainability are prone to confusion, suspicion, disorganization and dwindling motivation – as well as wasted time and efforts.

  • Calculating carbon footprints

    • Employees usually enjoy seeing how their efforts help reduce environmental degradation so displaying carbon emission reductions alongside other relevant data can help create motivation and a strong sense of achievement.

  • Introduction to Putting a Team Together

    • That should provide enough motivation to keep going.
    • Agree on motivational tools.
    • Determine how employees will be motivated.
    • Recognition, extra holiday time, cash bonuses, or award ceremonies are all valid motivators.