Motivation Theories

THEORETICAL BACK GROUND OF THE STUDY

Just like any other word, there are variations of definitions to describe a concept. Motivation too has many definitions, but it is important to focus on those that are related to work place. Understanding exactly what motivation is will help managers decide what actions to take to encourage their employees. The definition motivation starts with the root word, motive. Webster’s dictionary defines motive as, something that causes a person to act. Therefore motivation can be defined as, the cat of providing motive that causes someone to act and someone else cannot make someone motivated. Motivation and unmotivation are not opposites, but instead, there are determining factors that could cause someone

With relation to the work place, Ray Williams who writes for psychology today defines motivation as “predisposition to behave in a purposeful manner to achieve specific, unmet needs and the will to achieve, and the inner force that drives individual to accomplish personal organizational goals” (Williams). A person becomes motivated in order to achieve their own personal goals as well as the organsational goals. The more motivated an employee is, the more likely they are to have organizational commitment and identify themselves with the organization. This will meet some of the unmet needs, and connect them with the organization. If willing, the manger is able to give the employees incentives to meet their own goals and the goals set by the organization. Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, from the University of Rochester, agree that motivated means that the person is moved to do a particular act (Ryan and Edward, 54). The authors describe motivation as, “orientation of motivation concerns the underlying attitudes and goals that give rise to action” (Ryan Edward, 54). Although the words of the definition might be different. They all are describing the same concepts. Motivation is the act of getting someone to act of situation. This definition will be being important throughout the rest of the paper due to constant use of the

Motivation is concerned with the psychological aspects of the human being. Hence the level of satisfaction, contentment, etc by using the same reward, incentive vary from person to person and situation to situation. This is due to variations in aspirations, attitudes, feeling and perception of the individuals

Most employees today would like to have their employee’s motivated and ready to work, but do not understand what truly motivates a person. Companies could be more efficient if the employees had an invested interest in the future of the company. There are essential needs to be met for a person, specifically an employee, to succeed in the workplace. I will examine different theories of motivation, how they are relevant to the workplace, and how employee can implement the theories to ensure happy and motivated employee. Motivation starts with physiological deficiency or need that activates behavior or a drive that is aimed at a goal or incentive. Motivation is a continuous and an unending process. Goals form a part of motivational process. Goal achievement results in the satisfaction of want. Goal fulfillment leads to reduction of drives and fulfills deficiencies. Thus goal achievement ends the motivation