Question

Summarize the main argument of the article and the evidence of the Expectancy Theory

Critique the Expectancy Theory and describe whether it is convincing; be sure to explain your conclusion.

Analyze whether the Expectancy Theory is useful to scholar-practitioners who are currently working in the HR field and describe any potential practical applications in the workplace.

Answer 1

Vrooms expectancy theory is based in premise that behavior is the result of conscious choices. He believed that a effort is decided on expectancy of performance while a performance likelihood of resulting into a goal is called instrumentality.

The critique of this theory points that it very simplistic theory and does not account for all the things which account for expectancy and instrumental. As per porterpAnand Lawler , effort is not simply the product of expecting a desired performance but it is also affected by the percieve probability of reward and value of those rewards. Expectancy of a performance from an effort is also mediated by one's talent and skill . Moreover , a performance instrumentality to a goal is mediated by intrinsic and extrinsic rewards and percieve equitability.

Expectancy theory is still useful for manager to decide in job roles and maintaining the employee motivation by deciding which rewards will motivate them and which task will be more instrumental in reaching organisational goals.