Motivation Theory, Essay Example

Motivation is the process, which involves the initiation, guidance and maintenance of behaviors, which are goal oriented. It is the force that causes one to act the way they do, or react in a certain way to something. Motivation involves the emotional, cognitive, social and biological forces, which activate behavior. Individuals are known to be either extrinsic or intrinsic motivated. Extrinsic motivation occurs outside an individual and includes rewards such as praise, money, trophies or social recognition. Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, occurs within an individual. A person who is intrinsically motivated will engage in activities such as solving problems. This is because, they obtain a sense of pleasure after finding solutions to the challenge. In business organizations, the employers must ensure that employees are consistently motivated in order to increase their productivity. In the case where people are experiencing challenges of alternative work arrangement, the job characteristic theory is the most relevant in describing these challenges.

This theory is based on job enrichment and describes jobs according to specific motivational characteristic sets. The theory, in addition, shows how managers should work so as to enhance the motivational characteristics in the provided jobs. The challenges can be overcome by managers letting employees get involved in management through their participation. The incorporation of new management practices such as using various teams and more methods of decentralized organization will result in more employee motivation. Through the use, of flexible work arrangements, motivation among the employees would be enhanced. Compressed workweek, job sharing, flexible work schedules and telecommuting are among popular alternative arrangements.

From my viewpoint, I deem that the practice of providing alternative work arrangements will persist in the long run. This is because job performance motivation is enhanced.

Reference

Champoux, J. (2006). A multivariate test of the job characteristics theory of work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 12(5), 431-446.