Compare and Contrast Two Theories of Motivation. Suggest How Managers Might Use These Theories to Motivate Their Staff.

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The emphasis on motivation, social interaction and group dynamics can be largely traced back to Mayo's Hawthorne studies of the 1920's (Fincham & Rhodes, 2005). It is in fact axiomatic now that knowledge of what motivates a worker is essential to sound personnel practice. Following the influential Hawthorne studies many occupational psychologists have developed their own theories on motivation within the work place. This includes Herzberg's 'Two Factor Model' (Herzberg, 1959) based upon the assumption that all individuals possess the same set of needs commonly known as content theory. Plus Vroom's 'Concept of Valence, Instrumentality and Expectancy' (Vroom, 1964) based upon process theory which emphasises the role of the individuals cognitive processes in determining his/her level of motivation. Herzberg's and Vroom's theories do share similarities such as the agreed acceptance of the concept of self-actualisation and a shared agreement upon the best method of data capture. However, in contrast deep divides appear upon issues such as wage based incentives and supervision. One area of contrasting opinions which is quite apparent within both theories is the views associated with wage based incentives in the work place. Vroom's position on the issue is that it is impossible to perform the really crucial experiment on the role of financial remuneration in the motivation to work (Vroom, 1964). In other words it is impossible to suspend all economic compensation and observe who continues to work on their own accord. Furthermore Vroom (1964) makes it clear that a large proportion of people continue to work partly based on anticipated rewards from work that have nothing to do with money or the uses to which money may be put. For instance people gain a level of social enjoyment from going to work or they find work stimulating to a degree where the financial compensation
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