The definition of motivation is the reason for an action made which gives a purpose and approach directly linked to behaviour. The job of a manager in a workplace is to give their employees tasks to get done. To be able to do this effectively, the manager should find ways to motivate their employees.
There are a number of different content theories that attempt to explain the precise things as to what motivates individuals at work, emphasising on the nature of needs. The major content theories of motivation include:
• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model;
• Alderfers’s modified need hierarchy model;
• Hertzberg’s two-factor theory;
• McClelland’s achievement motivation theory.
What content theory most relates to me?
One of the content theories that I feel is particularly relevant to me is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. This theory is arranged in a series of 5 levels starting at the lower level, physiological needs, through safety needs, love needs, esteem needs and self-actualisation which is the highest level. It states that every individual starts at the bottom of the hierarchy with the basic needs, once the phy
siological need has been satisfied, the individual can advance up to the next level therefore. The higher needs in this hierarchy only come into focus when the lower needs in the pyramid are met. Higher level needs can become motivators. To provide motivation, the manager must then focus on the higher level of needs and motivators that apply to different people to succeed. The hierarchy of needs are shown as a series of steps in the shape of a pyramid. This suggests that less is needed as people move up the hierarchy.Physiological needs are the basic needs for every individual. Providing a basic wage, a friendly working environment, flexible hours and canteens in the workplaces. These are essential needs and if they are not met, the individual cannot continue.
Safety needs are then required once their physical needs are satisfied. An importance of job security that they have a role in the business is vital. Personal security includes having safe working conditions within the workplace, protected from danger, company benefits such as income protection, being protected from unlawful discrimination and insurance cover for all the workers including the working equipment. Financial security involves equal pay, bonuses and rewards.
Belongingness and love needs include the desire to belong in a group, have a sense of pride and enthusiasm in the working group by being in a friendly environment and being supervised by professional associates. A need of affiliation and being accepted by others is a key in motivating in order to attain success in the workplace.
When there is a feeling that the individual belongs somewhere, he or she is next motivated by a need to be held in esteem. Workers need to be thought of as worthwhile by others, to be recognised as people with some value by having a job title. Having a high-status job is one way to boast social recognition. Having confidence, independence and freedom is important. A great deal of this dissatisfaction with certain types of jobs is by the people performing better than them, this can be humiliating. Getting feedback and praises from the manager can be pleasing and therefore builds self-esteem.
Finally the motivation to realise one's own maximum potential and possibilities is considered to be its final need. This can only happen when all the lower levels have been met. By having a challenging job is the way they can be at the top of their ability. Given opportunities for self-development and creativity can make the worker realise its personal potential and advance in the organisation. (Business balls, 2009)
What has motivated me to study a degree in Accounting and finance?
The reason I have chose to go to university and take up accounting and finance as a degree course is because I want to carry on with further studies and improve on my skills that will, in 3 years time, make me a qualified accountant so I can pursue my career as an Accountant. One motive that has encouraged me to get to university is the fact that after completing my A levels, I have the ability to now take this further and complete a 3 year degree. This accomplishment is very similar to the self-actualisation need right at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy as that would be my achievement at the very end. The fact that I want to achieve being successful in life is a huge motivation for me for the next 3 years. Similarly, Maslow’s theory of motivation is very much applied to my style of motivation. As I have just started university I have to build myself up starting from the basic physiological needs. Ensuring I have all the basic requirements for human survival. Pleasant working conditions for example lecture rooms and quiet places in the library that will aid me to concentrate with my studies. A basic maintenance loan that I have received can help me with my financing of buying books and with travelling and food. Providing I am safe within the university campus is vital and that I feel secure will motivate me to carry on. Having made new friends gives me a sense of love and belonging. A lot of group work will be needed throughout the year and this will build my ability to work as a team. Having friendly lecturers that are always willing to help me with my work is very important. After my second year of studies I have an option whether I want to do a one year placement year where I would be given a place in an accounting firm. This would give me an insight in the real world of work that would instantly boost my confidence. I would gain a lot of experience and skills that could benefit me massively. I would build up self-esteem and recognition. When I have to create my personal statement I can include the fact that I did a placement year and this would be a favourable quality that employers would see when I have to apply for a job later on. Finally self actualisation is when I have graduated and I can advance with my studies to the maximum and go on to taking my ACCA exams that would assist me to become a fully qualified accountant and reach my goals.
My times of De-motivation...
At one point of time during my AS levels I was very de-motivated. When I took my January exams I did not do that well as I hoped I would. This played a negative effect on me because I was very disappointed with my results and thought I could have done better. I was frustrated greatly by my performance and effort. I knew these exams were counting towards my grade at the end of the year so I had to repeat these exams to improve my overall grade. According to Hertzberg two-factor theory Hygiene factors arises from extrinsic conditions and if they are absent, causes dissatisfaction. These include working conditions, level and quality of supervision and interpersonal relations. If they are met they do not make us satisfied but cause ‘no dissatisfaction’ (Mullins, 2007) There is a separate set of needs called the motivators and this gives us positive satisfaction. This includes achievement, responsibility and growth. After getting my results I was very de-motivated as the hygiene factors were missing and without the hygiene factors there were no motivators. I had to end up repeating these exams again and this time change the way I revised and prioritise my revision time in a way that I had can get through revising for my retakes as well as the June exams. My hygiene factors were I made a weekly revision time table and organise the different subjects accordingly. Most of all I had to make sure I stuck to the time table. I attended extra revision classes after school and made sure I stayed focused when the teacher was explaining in the classroom. These were my basic needs but I didn’t start to get motivated until I started understanding much better and realised my mistakes. When I did practise exam questions I would get high marks and these were my motivator factors as I felt a sense of achievement and it helped me to stay motivated. Similarly Alderfer’s ERG Theory is very much alike Maslow’s five levels hierarchy but only consists of three levels. Existence needs, Relatedness needs and Growth needs. Existence refers to physiological and safety needs. Relatedness needs involve the social environment. Love and belonging and esteem. Growth needs relate to advancement and combine self-esteem and self- actualisation. Alderfer’s theory suggest that the lower level needs do not have to be met in order to advance to the higher level as a motivating influence and more than one need may motivate at the same time. As I was de-motivated I would not make the effort to retain my studies and carry on, according to Maslow’s theory I could not get pass the physiological stage and the existence stage in Alderfer’s theory. I started to motivate myself by attending all extra classes and doing more practise papers. I started to enjoy going to these classes and my interest in the subject grew. This relates to the love and safety needs or relatedness need and my confidence built up. I then improved dramatically and this was shown in the marks I got at the end. I felt I had accomplished my goal and met the growth needs of Alderfer’s theory and the highest stage of Maslow’s hierarchy.
In conclusion motivation varies between individuals and not all theories apply to everyone. Even though the three theories mentioned do have similarities, there may be some parts of theories that apply and some don't. Overall my reflection on the concept of Motivation is how theories can show how each of us can build up our needs on particular work situations. It is the manager’s responsibility as well as ourselves to see what motivates us and how we can use this to our benefit.
References:
Business balls (2009) Maslow’s hierarchy of needs [online] Available from: http://www.businessballs.com/ maslow.htm Accessed 10 October 2009
Templar, R. (2005) The rules of management, Pearson Prentice Hall, p.66
Mullins, L. (2007) Management and organisational behaviour, Eighth edition, Chapter 7, p.262
In class week 2 lecture on motivation by Mary. Accessed 4 October 2009
