Theories of Motivation

Theories of Motivation

Introduction into motivation

In this essay the writer is going to explore the concept of

motivation, this is hopefully going to be achieved through exploration

of the complex and variable nature of needs and expectations. Formal

and informal theories of motivation will be discussed, focussing on

the former. Mainly but this will involve mainly the formal theories

because these are the ones that content and process theories fall

under. Content and process theories of motivation will be evaluated

with particular emphasis on the links between motivation and

leadership. The writer will compare the various content theories and

process theories. Finally writer also aims to compare the various

content theories and process theories this will be done by brief

illustration of the main ones and analysis of the most influential

ones since some of the theories are similar in nature.

Motivation is one of the most crucial skill that a manager needs to

have it is the reason why it has to be studied it could be described

as a leadership skill because a good leader has to be able to motivate

their staff; firstly we need to know what motivation is. Motivation is

" a set of processes that moves a person towards a goal, thus

motivated behaviours are voluntary choices controlled by the

individual employee." The reason an employer motivates their employees

is to get the most out of them as in better work quality because there

is a link between motivation and performance better motivated staff

will put in more effort. The reason they will do this is because they

are after something content theories will argue that individua...

... middle of paper ...

...dividual, what is their driving force and which is the most

effective way of helping them in the search for satisfaction of their

needs. When you apply they them a lot of variables must be considered

there was one thing common as a weakness in all theories and that is

how individual differences play a part in motivation. This is because

no matter what theory you apply individuals have too many needs to all

be satisfied it might work in small organisations but in big ones a

manager cannot identify the dominant need in each and every

individual.

Referencing

Human resource Management, 5th Ed

Management and organisational behaviour

Management and introduction

People Management and Development

A motivation to work

http://www.canberra.edu.au/uc/lectures/mantech/manpol/sem972/unit4207/Motivation.html