Answer to Question #258213 in Management for assa

Question

Part of a Human Resources manager’s role is to ensure employees are motivated to perform in the workplace. Write an essay where you describe and compare the two main approaches to motivation. Instructions and tips: • Write an essay of 1 300 – 1 500 words (excluding references). Markers will disregard any text beyond this limit. Please indicate the word count at the end of your answer; • A comparison of the content and process approaches are required; • You must include a brief summary of the theories under each approach in your own words; • You should also include the implications of each approach; • You MUST use examples to support your answer; • An essay requires a clear introduction and conclusion, use of paragraphs and academic tone; • Use relevant theory from your textbook (Chapter 12) and additional credible sources; • Use correct in-text referencing and include sources in the main bibliography at the end of the assignment; • Refer to the rubric below

Answer 1

Answer

Human resources managers play significant roles to ensure employees are motivated to perform in the workplace. However, the managers apply different concepts or approaches to provide motivation for employees so that they can work to their very best under minimum supervision. Although many reports show that the approaches that managers use for motivation are not effective, Operant conditioning theory and Equity theory are major concepts which are most effective when motivating the employees in a particular organization.

The first approach is the Operant conditioning theory. Above all, it is the simplest of the motivation theories. It basically states that people will do those things for which they are rewarded and will avoid doing things for which they are punished. According to this approach, managers can encourage employees to repeat a behavior if they provide a desirable consequence, or reward, after the behavior is performed. A positive reinforcement is a necessary consequence that satisfies an active need or that removes a barrier to need satisfaction. It can be as simple as a kind word or as major as a promotion (Black, 2019). Operant conditioning theory does offer greater insights than “reward what you want and punish what you don’t,” and knowledge of its principles can lead to effective management practices.

Second approach is the Equity theory. This approach asserts that motivation is affected by the outcomes we receive for our inputs compared to the outcomes and inputs of other people. Suppose one have worked for a company for several years. Further, their performance has been excellent, they have received regular pay increases, and you get along with your boss and coworkers. One day they come to work to find that a new person has been hired to work at the same job that they do. They are pleased to have the extra help. Then, you find out the new person is making a hundred more per week than you, despite your longer service and greater experience. How do you feel? If you’re like most of us, you’re quite unhappy. Your satisfaction has just evaporated. Nothing about your job has changed—you receive the same pay, do the same job, and work for the same supervisor. Yet, the addition of one new employee has transformed you from a happy to an unhappy employee. This feeling of unfairness is the basis for equity theory.

In general, despite many approaches used to motivate the employees, Operant conditioning concept and Equity approach are major theories that several managers use in order to ensure the organization goals and objectives are attained.