‘Managers Should Focus on Process Theories of Motivation Because the Content Is so Debateable’. Discuss Essay Example
Introduction
The word motivation comes from the Latin word "movere", which means to move. Motivation is defined as an internal drive that activates behaviours and gives it direction. The term motivation theory is concerned with the processes that describe why and how human behaviour is activated and directed. It is regarded as one of the most important areas of study in the field of organizational behaviour. Many methods of employee motivation have been developed. The study of work motivation has focused on the motivator as well as the motivatee. Motivation theories are important to supervisors attempting to be effective leaders. There are two primary approaches to motivation are content theory which focuses on the needs that motivate people, while process theory focuses on external influences or behaviors that people choose to meet their needs. The principal aim of this paper is to evaluate these two theories and examine how motivation theories can be applied in business world. To achieve this aim, this paper is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the definition of these two motivation theories The second part campares these two motivation theories by representing several better-known theories from content theory and process theory.. The final part analyses the differences between these two theories and concludes the whole content.
Definition of Motivation
The term motivation can be described in many different formats and views, but according to Dr Stephen P. Robbins, this is the “process that account for an individuals intensity, direction and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal” (S. P. Robbins, Organizational Behaviour 9ed, p.155). Theoretical analysis about work motivation can be grouped into two schools of thought. Firstly, “Content theories of motivation assume that all workers posses a common set of basic ‘needs’.” While “ Process theories explain work motivation in terms of a cognitive process worker go through before
The word motivation comes from the Latin word "movere", which means to move. Motivation is defined as an internal drive that activates behaviours and gives it direction. The term motivation theory is concerned with the processes that describe why and how human behaviour is activated and directed. It is regarded as one of the most important areas of study in the field of organizational behaviour. Many methods of employee motivation have been developed. The study of work motivation has focused on the motivator as well as the motivatee. Motivation theories are important to supervisors attempting to be effective leaders. There are two primary approaches to motivation are content theory which focuses on the needs that motivate people, while process theory focuses on external influences or behaviors that people choose to meet their needs. The principal aim of this paper is to evaluate these two theories and examine how motivation theories can be applied in business world. To achieve this aim, this paper is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the definition of these two motivation theories The second part campares these two motivation theories by representing several better-known theories from content theory and process theory.. The final part analyses the differences between these two theories and concludes the whole content.
Definition of Motivation
The term motivation can be described in many different formats and views, but according to Dr Stephen P. Robbins, this is the “process that account for an individuals intensity, direction and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal” (S. P. Robbins, Organizational Behaviour 9ed, p.155). Theoretical analysis about work motivation can be grouped into two schools of thought. Firstly, “Content theories of motivation assume that all workers posses a common set of basic ‘needs’.” While “ Process theories explain work motivation in terms of a cognitive process worker go through before