What is Employee Motivation?
Motivation is any tangible or intangible force that causes another person to want or feel the need to pursue an activity. A motivated individual is inspired to pursue a course of action. Three commonly recognized elements of motivation include:
- Energy
- Direction
- Persistence
Collectively motivation, ability, and environment are the major influences over employee performance. Motivation is broken down into Needs-Based Theories and Process-Based Theories.
What are Needs-Based Theories of Motivation?
Needs-based theories concern how individuals are motivated to take actions that meet their internal needs. Some of the dominant needs-based theories are:
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- ERG Theory
- McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y
- Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
- McClelland’s Needs Theory
What are Process-Based Theories of Motivation?
Process-based theories focus on the mental processes of individuals to understand their motivations.
- Goal-Setting Theory
- Reinforcement Theory
- Equity Theory
- Expectancy Theory
Issues in Motivation
Despite the advances in motivation study, there are numerous difficulties associated with applying theories based on numerous barriers:
- Geographical borders
- Motivating Unique Groups
- Diverse Workforces (Professionals, Contingent Workers, Low-Skilled Minimum Wage Employees)