Literature Review On Motivation

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In order to discuss and understand the results presented from the research conducted we must first understand the literature on motivation in the workplace available. Therefore, this literature review will provide information from previous researchers about the topic.
According to the MARS model, motivation is a major factor in determining individual behaviour and results. What is motivation? Motivation can be described as internal forces that impact the direction, intensity, and endurance of a person’s voluntary choice of behaviour. It consists of direction, intensity and persistence. There are two types of theories that seek to explain motivation, these are content theories and process theories. Content theories also known as need theories …show more content…

He was largely influenced by Maslow’s work and attempted to turn his five categories of needs into three. Interestingly, the name of the theory (ERG) abbreviates the needs categories which are: existence needs, relatedness needs and growth needs. Alderfer did agree with Maslow that once the lower level needs are satisfied the desire to have higher level needs will increase (Johns & Saks, 2001).
Like Aldefer and Maslow, David Mc Clelland also focused on how satisfying needs result in specific behaviors. He focused on the needs for achievement, affiliation and power (Johns & Saks, 2001). Similar to relatedness needs, the need for affiliation will influence workers to begin and maintain strong relationships with their coworkers. The need for achievement will push them to work harder and perform the tasks given to them to the best of their abilities. The need for power will make workers have a strong desire to have influence over others (Johns & Saks, …show more content…

Instrumentality is the belief that the level of performance of an individual will result in good or bad outcomes. Therefore, it’s the hope that a workers first level outcome will lead to a specific second-level outcome. Lastly, valence is the belief that the outcome would be of personal value to the individual. Additionally, expectancy theory states that a person’s motivation can be measured by assigning weights to each of these beliefs and then multiplying them. Thus, if a workers belief is low then their level of motivation is low and vice versa (André,

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