ORGANIZATIONAL MOTIVATION

MOTIVATION

There are several studies and research carried out by scholars from different disciplines (e.g. sociology, psychology, economy and management) aiming to explain, predict and influence behavior. This set of studies is called Motivation Theories.

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There are two main approaches to motivation theories (Ramlall, 2004) (1):

Focus on Internal Needs: explaining behavior as the result of a person’s inner values, attitudes and conception of the world. For example, Max Weber explained the searching for profit in advanced capitalist countries as the result of widespread protestant ethicswhich encourages hard work and need for achievement as a means to gain redemption (Bell, 1996). (2)

Focus on External Incentives: explains behavior in terms of external stimuli to the people’s actions. For example, Adam Smith spoke about the invisible hand that guided the individuals’ actions toward making profit benefiting in that process the growth of the entire economy (Bishop, 1995). (3)

Another theories are:

- Maslow's need hierarchy

- McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y

- Herzberg's two-factor theory

- Alderfer's ERG theory

- McClelland's need theory

Need-based approaches to Motivation

Need-based approaches to motivation focus on what motivates employees to choose certain behaviors as shown on the following diagram.

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In multicultural organizational contexts what could be a good strategy to keep people motivated towards a common task?

The most important and main strategy is the respect and recognition, because a multicultural organization represents a diversity of personalities and behaviors. The organization have to create an friendship enviroment.

Everybody have a different needs, and Individuals are motivated if their needs are met.

Sources:

1. R

amlall, S. (2004).A Review of Employee Motivation Theories and their Implications for Employee Retention within Organizations. Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge, 5(1/2), 52-63.

2. Bell, Daniel. (1996).The Protestant ethic. World Policy Journal, 13(3), 35-39.

3. Bishop, John D. (1995). Adam Smith's invisible hand argument. Journal of Business Ethics, 14(3), 165.

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