In-Class Assignment - Management in Practice Answers
Management in Practice Answers
Motivation - the individual internal process that energizes, directs, and sustains behavior; the personal "force" that causes you or me to behave in a particular way.
1. “I’m really interested in the vice president of sales position. I should have a shot at the job since my sales team always has the best sales and customer service record.”
Expectancy theory - a model of motivation based on the assumption that motivation depends on how much we want something and on how likely we think we are to get it.
2.“This job pays well and we have a really nice place to work, but not much opportunity for advancement. I’ll just do my job and collect my paycheck, but no extra efforts for me. I’m content, but just not that motivated.”
Herzberg—two-factor (motivation–hygiene) theory - the idea that satisfaction and dissatifaction are separate and distinct dimensions.
3. “I don’t even consider this a job. I love what I do and can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m at the top of my game!”
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (self-actualization) - the sequence of human needs in the order of their importance.
4. “The last time I didn’t complete the report on time, my boss made me cover the weekend shift. You bet I’ll get the job done early this time! Everyone hates the weekend shift!”
Reinforcement theory (punishment) - a theory of motivation based on the premise that rewarded behavior is likely to be repeated, whereas punished behavior is less likely to occur.
5. “If I can get a perfect score on just one more customer satisfaction survey, my base pay will go from $15 per hour to $18. I will definitely take care of this customer!”
Taylor’s scientific management theory (piece rate) - the application of scientific principles to management of work and workers.
6. “I can’t believe Phillipe got the promotion over me. I work more overtime making our customers happy than he does. No more overtime for me and I’m asking for a raise!”
Equity theory - a theory of motivation based on the premise that people are motivated to obtain and preserve equitable treatment for themselves,
7. “I really do believe my team likes their work and is motivated. I’m confident my team will deliver the goal this month! Besides, they really like profit-sharing checks!”
McGregor’s Theory Y - a concept of employee motivation generally consistent with the ideas of the human relations movement; assumes responsibility and work toward organizational goals, and by doing so they also achieve personal rewards.
- “My boss and I agreed my goal this month was to sell 10 units. With one week left, I have already sold nine units. I always attain the goals I set for myself.”
Goal theory—MBO - management by objectives is a motivation technique in which managers and employees collaborate in setting goals.
Goal an end result that an organization is expected to achieve over a one to ten year period.
*This exercise is reprinted with the permission of Kenneth Jones, Ivy Tech Community College—Central Indiana.