The manager who appropriately applies goal-setting, reinforcement and expectancy theories are creating essential motivating elements in the work environment. Motivation also is affected by characteristics of the person. Answer questions about motivation at Hot Topic as they appear during the video clip.
Motivation refers to forces that energize, direct, and sustain a person's efforts. All behavior, except involuntary reflexes like eye blinks (which have little to do with management), is motivated. A highly motivated person will work hard toward achieving performance goals. With adequate ability, understanding of the job, and access to the necessary resources, such a person will be highly productive. To be effective motivators, managers must know what behaviors they want to motivate people to exhibit. Although productive people appear to do a seemingly limitless number of things, most of the important activities can be grouped into five general categories. Managers must motivate people to (1) join the organization, (2) remain in the organization, and (3) come to work regularly. On these points, you should reject the common recent notion that loyalty is dead and accept the challenge of creating an environment that will attract and energize people so that they commit to the organization. Of course, companies also want people to (4) perform—that is, once employees are at work, they should work hard to achieve high output (productivity) and high quality. And finally, (5) managers would like employees to exhibit good citizenship by being committed and performing above and beyond the call of duty to help the company.
1. Hot Topic has garnered the respect and loyalty of employees through its unique culture. Which motivational theory is illustrated by Hot Topic employees who are passionate about their work, are motivated by the work itself, their job responsibilities, feelings of achievement, and an opportunity for growth and recognition?
expectancy theory
two-factor theory
job enlargement theory
Maslow's hierarchy
equity theory
2. One of the tenets of the organization is being recognized for what you contribute. Which of the following perspectives, known as the application of reinforcement theory in organizational settings, suggests that this tenet will indeed motivate employees?
McClelland's needs
expectancy theory
psychological contract
OB MOD
goal-setting theory
3. Which motivation theory would suggest that employees will be motivated by both the concert tickets at Hot Topic and also by their policy of promoting from within?
expectancy theory
procedural justice
goal-setting theory
equity theory
growth need strength
4. Given the lack of cubicles or private space and the focus on collaboration at Hot Topic, the least motivated type of employee will be one with a
low need for satisfaction.
high need for achievement.
high need for affiliation.
high need for satisfaction.
low need for affiliation.
5. At Hot Topic, employees can make their own decisions and take risks. Which of the following motivational theories supports the belief that this should help motivate employees?
expectancy theory
goal-setting theory
Hackman and Oldham model
equity theory
Maslow's hierarchy
6. The EOM program and thanking employees for being "super rad" with a gift card and a note from the CEO will work well as a positive reinforcement motivator according to which of the following theories?
McClelland's needs
OB MOD
equity theory
goal-setting theory
job rotation theory
7. Employees tend to ask themselves if rewards are worth the effort to obtain those rewards. Which of the following theories suggests that a person's effort leads to some level of performance that results in one or more outcomes?
goal-setting theory
Alderfer's ERG theory
Maslow's hierarchy
expectancy theory
equity theory
8. Betsy just talked about employees being motivated because they can "make a difference." Hackman and Oldham would call this which aspect of Hot Topic employees' jobs?
task significance
feedback
skill variety
task identity
autonomy
9. Torrid stores cater to young plus-sized women who want fashionable clothing. Hot Topic wanted to provide clothing to meet this underserved market. According to Maslow's need hierarchy, which of the young women's needs were met with the entrance of Torrid into the clothing market?
social
physiological
safety
security
self-actualization