Question

Compare and contrast the various theories of motivation and come out with which one you think best suit an organization and why

Answer 1

Motivation is a state-of-mind, filled with energy and enthusiasm, which drives a person to work to achieve desired goals in a particular way. Motivation is a force that drives a person to work and concentrate with a high degree of dedication even though things are against him. Motivation translates into a certain kind of human behaviour.

1. Abraham Maslow postulated that when his needs are fulfilled a individual will be motivated. The need starts from the lowest basic needs level and continues to move up as the need for a lower level is met. Below is the Requires hierarchy:

• Physiological: Physical survival necessities such as food, water, and shelter.
• Safety: Protection from threats, deprivation, and other dangers.
• Social (belongingness and love): The need for association, affiliation, friendship, etc
• Self-esteem: The need for respect and recognition.
• Self-actualization: The opportunity for personal development, learning, it is the highest level need to which a human being can aspire.

2. McClelland’s theory of needs- McClelland says we all have three motivational drivers, and that is not based on our gender or age. One such drive will dominate our behaviour. The dominant drive depends on the experiences in our lives.

Achievement: a need to accomplish and demonstrate one's own competence People with a high need for achievement prefer tasks that are based on their own efforts to provide personal responsibility and results. Also, they prefer prompt recognition of their progress.
Affiliation: a desire for affection, belonging and social recognition The purpose of people with a strong need for association is to be loved and accepted by others. We prefer to be interested in social activities, and may not be comfortable with confrontation.

Power: a need to regulate one's own work or another's work People with a strong need for power seek circumstances where they exert power and authority over others. They compete for rank and authority roles and seem to be more concerned about their degree of power than about successful results in the job.

Vroom’s theory of expectancy- Victor Vroom stated that if two conditions are met, people will be highly productive and motivated: 1) people believe that their efforts are likely to lead to successful results and 2) those people also believe they will be rewarded for their success.

People will be motivated to exercise a high level of effort when they believe relationships exist between the efforts they make, the performance they achieve, and the results / rewards they receive.

Maslows theory is best suited for organisations Maslow 's motivation principle argues that people behave to fulfill their unmet needs. For example, you look for and eat food when you're hungry, thus satisfying a basic physiological need. If a need is met, its value for the person diminishes, and a need at a higher degree is more likely to inspire the person. Maslow's theory has also helped managers understand that appealing to already satisfied needs makes it hard to motivate people.