OPPapers.com

Understanding Motiation In The Workplace

Assignment #1
Understanding Employee Motivation

By
Barry B. Singleton
EDD 8472

Nova Southeastern University
August 26, 2006

Understanding Employee Motivation

Human behavior patterns in organizations can be associated with the following questions: 1) what are the causes of high employee productivity and job satisfaction? 2) What are factors that direct and channels their behavior to reach the goals of and organization? 3) How can the organization uphold a high level of behavior? 4) What Factors can reinforce or discourage them in their actions? (Cross Culture Motivation, ND)
There are many theories that answer these questions that have been tested and developed in the United States. These patterns of behavior can be associated with employee motivation. Some people see motivation as a trait in certain people. This relates to managers who say that some employees lack motivation and are lazy. The 1950s was a time period and the development of the concepts of motivation. During this period of time three theories where developed and can afford us the best explanations for employee motivation. These theories are the hierarchy of needs theory, Theories X and Y, and the motivation hygiene theory.
The psychologist Abraham Maslow developed the theory that stated there were five basic needs of human being: hierarchy of physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization (Cross-Culture Motivation, ND). When each of these needs have become satisfied, the following need became dominant. In relations to motivation, the theory is that although no need is ever fully gratified, the need to be satisfied is no longer motivated. Maslow stated that the higher order needs of esteem and self actualization was only present and activated, and motivated behavior, when the lower order needs were satisfied.

Another pattern of behavior can be associated with motivation-hygiene theory developed by Frederick Herzberg. The beliefs were that if a person work is a...