Motivating Teams Case Study

EX3: Motivating Teams

Evaluate a minimum of three theories in motivation and illustrate how these can be applied in the workplace to motivate teams.

Theory 1:

• Reinforcement Theory:

The reinforcement theory was first thought of by B.F. Skinner and his colleagues. This theory overlooks the inner feelings of the employee and concentrates on what happens to the employee when he/she takes some action. According to Skinner the external environment must motivate the employee and so must be designed to do so efficiently and clearly. (managementstudyguide.com)

The theory is divided into 4 different categories:

1. Positive Reinforcement:

This means that when an employee does something positive within the work setting you reward that employee e.g. praising that employee for the excellent work that they have carried out. This will then increase the chances of the employee doing an excellent job in the future. (managementstudyguide.com)

2. Avoidance:

This is showing the employee the consequences of behaviour that will not be tolerated with in the workplace. (Redmond 2014).

3. Extinction:

This involves ignoring the behaviour of an employee regardless if they have done excellent or sub-standard work, the employer will not provide them with feedback positive or negative. (Redmond 2014).

4. Punishment:

This is where the employer might implement actions on the employee for not carrying out their work to the highest of standards, they might dock their pay or take disciplinary action. (Redmond 2014).

Implementing Reinforcement Theory in the Workplace:

Working as a supervisor in a childcare setting B.F. Skinners theory of reinforcement can be very beneficial especially the area of positive reinforcement. Having a happy and content workforce is...

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...a better workplace for everyone to work creating changes for future promotion and setting goals for the employees to reach this allows them to be very ambitious and want to do the best job they can which is very positive when they are working with children.

Bibliography

• Business Balls (2014) Douglas McGregor Theory X and Theory Y. Available at: http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htm (Accessed on: 08th April 2014)

• Management Study Guide (2013) Reinforcement Theory of Motivation. Available at: http://managementstudyguide.com/reinforcement-theory-motivation.htm (Accessed on: 08th April 2014)

• Redmond, W. (2014) ‘Team Leadership’. Naas: Creative Training.

• Simple Psychology (2014) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Available at: http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html (Accessed on: 08th April 2014)