Motivation (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Business): Flashcards
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Define motivation.
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Cards in this collection (51)
Define motivation.
Motivation is the inner desire or willingness that drives a person to achieve a specific goal or outcome.
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Intrinsic motivation comes from within a person, such as their values and beliefs. Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors, such as rewards or punishments.
True or False?
Motivated employees are likely to be more reliable, showing up on time and taking few sick days.
True.
Motivated employees take pride in their job, so they are more reliable. This builds trust between the business and its employees and raises productivity.
Motivated employees are likely to stay with a business long-term, which reduces ____________ and the need for costly recruitment and training.
Motivated employees are likely to stay with a business long-term, which reduces staff turnover and the need for costly recruitment and training.
How can higher employee motivation lead to higher profits?
Motivated employees are productive and efficient. They generate high levels of output and quality, which leads to higher profits.
Define human needs.
Human needs are the essentials people must have to live a healthy, safe and decent life.
How can a business help employees meet their need for security at work?
A business can offer job security, clear contracts and protection from unfair dismissal.
Define human wants.
Human wants are things people would like to have to improve their quality of life, but which are not essential for survival.
Why might some jobs fail to meet employees' social needs?
Jobs that involve isolation, high stress or poor management may leave employees feeling lonely or undervalued.
True or False?
Every job provides enough income and security for employees to afford food and shelter.
False.
Some jobs do not meet basic needs. A worker on a very low wage may still struggle to pay rent or afford proper meals.
What are the four steps in Taylor's process of scientific management?
The steps are to study and analyse the work process, standardise the work process, select and train workers and provide incentives for performance.
Taylor's approach links output to financial reward through ________ pay, where workers are paid for each item they complete.
Taylor's approach links output to financial reward through piece-rate pay, where workers are paid for each item they complete.
Why do standard procedures in Taylor's approach benefit a business?
When everyone follows the same procedures, errors are reduced. Combined with specialisation of labour, this raises efficiency and lowers costs.
True or False?
Taylor's approach is well suited to roles that need high levels of creativity and problem-solving.
False.
Taylor's approach may not work for roles needing creativity, problem-solving or interpersonal skills. Workers reduced to a machine-like system may disengage from their work.
What does Mayo's theory of motivation emphasise?
Mayo emphasised the importance of social factors in the workplace. He argued that productivity and job satisfaction improve when relationships between workers, supervisors and management improve.
How can a business apply Mayo's human relations approach?
A business can use team-building activities, give feedback and recognition to employees and empower employees to take part in decision-making.
True or False?
One drawback of Mayo's approach is that managers may have less control as workers take more decisions.
True.
As workers take more decisions, there is a lack of control. Building positive relationships is also time-consuming.
Maslow outlined five tiers of human needs, with ___________ needs, such as food, water and rest breaks, at the base.
Maslow outlined five tiers of human needs, with physiological needs, such as food, water and rest breaks, at the base.
How can a business meet employees' safety needs?
A business can provide job security, fair pay, benefits and safe working conditions.
How can a business meet employees' esteem needs?
A business can provide recognition for employees' accomplishments and a positive work culture that values individual contributions.
Which need sits at the top of Maslow's hierarchy?
Self-actualisation sits at the top. Businesses can help employees meet it by offering opportunities to pursue their passions and interests.
True or False?
According to Maslow, a tier of needs that has been met will continue to motivate an employee.
False.
Once a tier of needs has been met, it is unlikely to continue to motivate. The employee then looks for the next set of needs to be met.
What is one weakness of applying Maslow's theory in a business?
One size does not fit all, so a business must tailor its approach to each employee. Meeting many individual needs can be expensive and takes significant management effort.
Define hygiene factors.
Hygiene factors are elements of a job that do not necessarily lead to job satisfaction, but whose absence can cause dissatisfaction.
Define motivators in Herzberg's theory.
Motivators are elements of a job that lead to job satisfaction and motivation.
True or False?
Herzberg argued that paying fair wages motivates employees to perform better.
False.
Fair pay is a hygiene factor. Unfair pay can cause dissatisfaction, but fair pay alone does not increase satisfaction.
How can a business use Herzberg's motivators to increase job satisfaction?
A business can build a recognition and rewards culture, offer opportunities for growth and development and provide challenging work that requires problem-solving.
What are the three needs in McClelland's Acquired Needs theory?
The three needs are the achievement need (nAch), the affiliation need (nAff) and the power need (nPow).
How does a person with a high achievement need tend to behave?
They seek success and take calculated risks. They appreciate feedback on their performance and enjoy tasks that require problem-solving.
True or False?
A person with a high affiliation need is likely to seek leadership positions.
False.
A person with a high affiliation need seeks approval, acceptance and social interaction and avoids conflict. Seeking leadership positions is linked to the power need.
According to McClelland, ___________ power is the desire to influence and shape organisational systems.
According to McClelland, institutional power is the desire to influence and shape organisational systems.
True or False?
McClelland argued that the needs develop over time through life experiences, upbringing and cultural influences.
True.
McClelland saw these needs as acquired, so their relative strength varies between individuals.
Define expectancy in Vroom's theory.
Expectancy is the belief that effort leads to performance.
How can managers raise employees' expectancy score?
Managers can improve training and development, so employees believe their effort will lead to successful performance.
Define instrumentality in Vroom's theory.
Instrumentality is the belief that performance leads to outcomes, such as rewards.
Define valence in Vroom's theory.
Valence is the value or desirability of the outcomes of performance.
What is one weakness of Vroom's Expectancy theory?
The theory is based on subjective perceptions and beliefs, which vary between individuals. As a result, it may not always accurately predict behaviour.
Define financial incentives.
Financial incentives are rewards or payments given to employees in return for their labour or improved performance.
How does piece rate pay work?
Employees are paid according to the number of units they produce. It links to Taylor's Scientific Management, which sees financial reward as the main motivator.
Under _______ pay, employees are paid based on the number of hours they work.
Under time rate pay, employees are paid based on the number of hours they work.
True or False?
According to Herzberg, a salary directly motivates employees to achieve more.
False.
A salary is a hygiene factor. It removes dissatisfaction, such as worrying about pay, but does not itself motivate employees to achieve more.
Define commission.
Commission is a percentage of sales revenue paid to workers who sell products or services.
Why can financial motivators reduce teamwork?
If pay is based on individual results, employees may compete instead of working together.
Define job enrichment.
Job enrichment adds more challenging or meaningful tasks to a role, giving employees a sense of achievement and purpose.
True or False?
According to Maslow, non-financial rewards meet higher-level needs such as esteem and self-fulfilment.
True.
Non-financial rewards such as recognition and development meet higher-level needs like belonging, esteem and self-fulfilment.
Define empowerment.
Empowerment means giving employees the freedom to make decisions, which increases trust, confidence and motivation.
How does a business apply Herzberg's two-factor theory in practice?
It first makes sure hygiene factors, such as fair pay and a clean, safe environment, are in place. It then focuses on motivators such as responsibility, promotion chances and recognising achievements.
How does a business apply Taylor's theory in practice, apart from how it pays workers?
Tasks are simplified and repeated to improve speed and efficiency. Employees are given close supervision and clear instructions.
Define employee participation.
Employee participation means involving workers in decisions that affect the running of the business.
_____________ are small groups of workers who meet regularly to suggest improvements in production or service quality.
Quality circles are small groups of workers who meet regularly to suggest improvements in production or service quality.
What is one drawback of employee participation?
It may slow decision-making. Managers must also be open to listening and acting on employee input.
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