What are the Factors Affecting Employee Motivation? Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Discuss the main theories and models of employee motivation, such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, expectancy theory, goal-setting theory, and self-determination theory.
- Examine the factors that affect employee motivation at different levels of an organization
- Apply practical strategies and interventions that can be implemented to improve employee motivation
1.0 INTRODUCTION
According to Mullins (2016), motivation refers to the creation of incentives and a working environment that allows employees to perform to the best of their ability. It is a state of positive emotion resulting from the assessment of one's job experience. In fact, David and Anderzej (2010) have defined it as cognitive decision-making with the intention of making behavior aimed at achieving a given goal through initiation and monitoring. It is influenced by various factors that can vary from person to person and from situation to situation. Motivation is a complex and multifaceted concept that can influence the behavior and outcomes of individuals and organizations.
This essay will explore the definition and dimensions of motivation, how it relates to the employees' commitment and performance at work, and the various factors affecting motivation such as rewards, goals, feedback, and leadership. Finally, I will provide some recommendations on how to enhance motivation in the workplace and improve organizational effectiveness.
Motivation can affect various aspects of human behavior, such as learning, performance, creativity, and well-being. For any organization to reach its goal, a motivated workforce is the most important resource. A motivated workforce adapts the company’s philosophy and increases efficiency, building a successful organization.
What is the impact of employee motivation and its effect on employee performance? Motivation brings about high employee retention, and overall improved health and well-being of the workers, it develops competencies among others. Also, employee motivation impacts organizational performance through increased productivity, high-quality output, and boosted performance to mention but a few. Motivated employees perform harder, create more work of higher quality and quantity, are more likely to engage in organizational citizenship behaviors, and are less likely to leave the organization in search of more rewarding possibilities.
Furthermore, highly motivated individuals seek to achieve at the maximum level possible and put forth more effort than unmotivated employees (Schultz & Bagraim, Potgieter, Viedge).