Industrial Psychology : Motivation

Motivation : Types and Definition

• Simple : Desire to do things

• “Motivation is used to explain the reasons behind someone's behaviour. It also represents the reasons for people's actions, desires, and needs. Motivation can also be defined as one's direction to behavior, or what causes a person to want to repeat a behavior and vice versa. A motive is what prompts the person to act in a certain way, or at least develop an inclination for specific behavior.” - Wikipedia

• Employees need to be motivated to “actualize their potential”

• Role of Reward System

• Benefits – promotion, vacation, medical insurance, events for fun, etc.

• Types of motivation

Theories of Motivation :

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
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• Image courtesy : http://www.scancapture.co.uk/how-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-influences-employee-engagement/

• We all know about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - belief that humans need to satisfy their basic needs to realise their own personal growth. 

• Here is how it is related to organisational behaviour:

• Survival : For most people, having a job means a sign of security – to maintain their basic lifestyle – financial independence – this means to survive firstly and then move on to other needs.

• Security : Meaning here – Job Security – In the competitive world, one is always afraid of losing their job – living the life of an unemployed – things like salary, contract are signs of security – helps to move to next level.

• Belonging : Every employee needs to feel their importance – necessary to have trust, acceptance, cordial relations in the group – good rapport between employee and employer – any level of management.

• Importance : Easily confused with belonging – importance is to mainly to increase engagement – employees need to feel that their contribution is appreciated and valued – better productivity – healthier relations.

• Self Actualization : Employers need to “display genuine concern” towards employee’s life – take interest in their goals, achievements and progress – organization should support the ambition of the employee to help fulfil goals of the company as well as the individual – opportunities will help them reach here – also inspire others around.

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• Herzberg was an American psychologist who was very famous in the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

• According to Herzberg’s dual factor theory, there were two ways in which job characteristics could affect an individual.

• The work that an individual does – can help him to satisfy needs – status, personal growth, personal progress – this makes him happy and satisfied.

• But, the absence of all the above mentioned perks does not lead to unhappiness – instead what leads to dissatisfaction with the work are other factors – salary, policies, working conditions.

• Herzberg believes that if management wants to increase the job satisfaction – nature of work should be the focus – opportunities, responsibilities and how-and-what of the work – leads to self realization and content – happiness.

• But, if management wants to reduce the dissatisfaction – work environment should be the focus – policies, condition of workplace, supervisions – leads to satisfaction and happiness with job.

• Thus, he believed that in order to make employees happy and efficient, management has to pay attention to both the factors – Job Environment and Nature of the Work.

Industrial Psychology Unit 1

Definition and Goals of Industrial  and Organization Psychology

·      Industrial and organizational psychology is also known as I/O Psychology.

·      In simple terms : Study of human behaviour in work place.

·      Understanding and studying human behaviour can help organizations at each step ; from the selection process to increasing productivity, improving efficiency, lowering the cost and recognizing a good/bad employee, etc.

·      By analysing the work method, data, observations, surveys, an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist can come up with methods and models for the betterment of the workplace and create a pleasant environment for the employees.

·      It can also help to maintain good relations employers and employees.
Goals of Industrial Psychology : Describe, Understand, Predict and Control. 

History of Industrial Psychology :

http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/608/a-brief-history-of-industrial-psychology

This is a good description  for the history of I/O psychology ^

Key Forces :

·      People

·      Structure

·      Technology

·      Environment

Fundamental Concepts :

1.    Nature of people –

§  Individual Differences :

·      Each person is different

·      Require a employer’s approach to be individual and statistical (not to judge all by one)

·      Management can motivate employees more

·      Follows the Law of Individual Differences

§  Perception :

·      Same thing can be viewed differently different people

·      Uniqueness in how each person sees, organises, evaluates and interprets things

·      Various reasons (background, personalities, needs, motivation) lead to selective perception

§  A Whole Person :

·      Can’t employ just someone’s brain or skill

·      Employees behave as a whole person

·      Their life is fully connected to their work

§  Motivated Behaviour :

·      Is a very important factor

·      Person’s actions depend on their internal or external motivation

·      Management has two ways –

o   Show how certain actions will increase their need fulfilment.

o   Threaten how certain undesirable actions will decreased their need fulfilment.

§  Desire for Involvement :

·      Employees contribute their skills and talents for betterment of the company/industry

·      Management needs to provide them with opportunities for meaningful involvement

·      Can be achieved through Employee Empowerment

§  Value of the Person :

·      People want to be treated nicely

·      Higher order than other factors of production like Land, Capital and Technology and therefore

·      They demand respect, understanding and care

·      Want to be valued for their skills, abilities and to be provided opportunities

2.    Nature of Organization –

§  Social Systems :

·      Governed by social and psychological laws

·      Social roles and status

·      Behaviour influenced by group’s individual drives

·      It is dynamic in nature

§  Mutual Interest :

·      Mutual interest of organizations and people

·      Both need each other equally for development

·      People --> Needs satisfied --> Organization --> Goal accomplishment --> People

§  Ethics :

·      Ethical treatment very important to keep good employees motivated and retain them

·      Company must establish codes of ethics --> provide training for it --> reward employees who follow --> build positive role models --> handle misconduct