Motivatoon

Motivation

It is said that "Management Is an Art of Getting Things done through others". Motivation plays a key role in implementing the above said statement. It basically bridges the gap between willingness to work and ones efficiency. Motivation influences the performance of an individual to a great extent by creating desire to achieve a positive outcome. The basic elements in motivation are human needs which vary from person to person. To understand the basic common needs is very important to control the motivation process. As described in (http://opax.swin.edu.au/~388226/howto/it2/motiv1.htm)

Motivation can be defined as "a concept used to describe the factors within an individual which arouse, maintain and channel behaviour towards a goal". The process begins with identifying a persons needs, these needs act as energizers which influences him to make an extra effort to achieve the desired goal.

Maslows' Need Theory

According to maslow there are five set of goals which may be called basic needs. He arranged these needs in order of their importance; a lower level need had to be satisfied before moving towards a higher level need.

Diagram reference: http://www.accel-team.com/maslow_/maslow_nds_03.html)

The first basic need is Physiological needs which are essential for a human being to survive. Food, water, air and shelter are all physiological needs. As physiological needs are met the need for being safe arises which includes job security, illness and safe working environment. Then we have the social needs which include friendship, love, and desire to belong to a particular group. We then have Esteem needs i.e. the feeling of achievement, recognition and appreciation. Finally individuals have a need for self-actualization or a desire of self fulfilment which is the desire of becoming the best, being creative and successful.

Theory X and Theory Y

Douglas McGregor set out two sets of propositions about human motivation, which he labelled theory x and theory y.

Theory x Ð'-y is a simple reminder of natural rules for managing people. Theory x is the traditional view of direction and control which is based on these assumptions

Ð'* The average people dislike work and will avoid it if he/she can

Ð'* Lack flexibility/very rigid

Ð'* Dislikes responsibility and desires security above everything.

Theory y is based on integration of individual and organizational goals based on these assumptions

Ð'* Effort in work is as natural as work and play

Ð'* People seek responsibility

Ð'* Imagination, creativity can be used to solve work

Ð'* Potential of the average person is partly utilized

Ref: http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htm

Ref: http://www.chimaeraconsulting.com/motivation.htm

In short theory x is the traditional way of direction and control. We can say rather than enjoying work an employee may consider it to be a punishment or an order. Where as theory y has a positive attitude when compared to theory x, it concentrates on employee's creativity and potential.

Taking various companies as example we see that these theories are being implemented in various ways to obtain better results. Employees are provided with accommodation, their medical expenses are borne by the employers. Job assessments are done every year and the deserving employees are awarded in public which helps in fulfilling their self actualization need. The various elements such as

 Job Security

 Job satisfaction

 Basic needs

 Salary

 Power

Motivate employees to achieve desired goals.

Motivating