Title: Motivating an Organization | Boundless Management
Headings: Motivating an Organization
Motivating an Organization
The Importance of Motivation
Learning Objectives
Key Takeaways
Key Points
Key Terms
Motivation in the Workplace
Internal and External Motivation
Perspectives on Motivation
Learning Objectives
Key Takeaways
Key Points
Key Terms
Needs-Oriented Theories
Hierarchy of Needs
Need for Achievement Theory
Cognition-Oriented Theories
Equity Theory
Expectancy Theory
Behavior-Oriented Theories
Job-Oriented Theories
Two-Factor Theory
Work Engagement Theory

Content: Motivation in the workplace is primarily concerned with improving employees’ focus, often through pursuing positive incentives and avoiding negative ones. Theories of motivation are of course rooted in psychology. An individual must direct their attention toward a task, generate the necessary effort to achieve that task, and persist in working toward it despite potential distractions. Various theories have attempted to identify the factors that contribute to effective employee motivation, most of which are easily divided into four broad categories: Needs-oriented theories
Cognition-oriented theories
Behavior-oriented theories
Job-oriented theories
Needs-Oriented Theories
At its most basic, motivation can be defined as the fulfillment of various human needs. These needs can encompass a range of human desires, from basic, tangible needs of survival to complex, emotional needs surrounding an individual’s psychological well-being. Hierarchy of Needs
The most well-known example of a needs-oriented theory of motivation is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow postulated that needs should be fulfilled in a particular scaffolded order, with food, water, and shelter in the bottom, most fundamental two tiers and intangible needs such as fulfillment, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging in the upper three tiers. While this framework makes a certain amount of logical sense, critics have noted that there have been minimal data that suggest employees strive to satisfy needs in the workplace in accordance with this hierarchical framework. But the fundamental idea behind Maslow’s model is that individuals have various tangible and intangible desires that can be leveraged in the use of motivational incentives.