Principles of motivation are not very easy to establish because human behavior is extremely complex. So the selection of sources of motivation for employees very important for an organization’s success.
Individual differences are substantial, and people are continuously changing. It is, therefore, very difficult to understand people’s behavior.
However, the agreement is widespread on a number of factors to which most people respond. Factors to which peoples usually respond may be viewed as follows:
Sources of motivation for an employee
1. Money: Pay or monetary compensation helps in satisfying physiological, security, and egoistic needs. In most industrial societies money is the incentive used frequently to stimulate workers for greater production.
2. Security of job: Because of the current threat from technological change this need is extremely high for employees. Thus most employees want to feel secure in their job. They want to feel that they will be protected against loss of job and earnings.
3. Praise and recognition: It is important that the employee is recognized and praised for his job well done.
4. Competition: Competition may be used as an incentive to compete with other employees or a member of the group.
5. Knowledge of results: Knowledge of results serves as an inventive to better performance and it also facilitates learning the job.
6. Participation: Participation is recognized as one of the best incentives for stimulating employee production and for enhancing job satisfaction.
7. Pride: The appeal of pride overlaps some of the incentives previously stated, such as competition and praise. If a person wins in competition with others or receives praise, part of his satisfaction can be attributed to pride.
8. Delegation of Authority: Delegation of a substantial amount of authority proves to be a strong motivating factor. It gives birth to pride in the minds of employees.
9. Cultural variation: Cultural variation makes differences in human motives. There are significant differences in the culture of say Bangladesh and Pakistan.
10. Social factor: Social satisfaction represents an important aspect of the totality of benefits. They may evolve from organizational elements.
11. Opportunity for advancement: Most employees seek opportunities for advancement in their job. So, the desire for personal development is a good incentive for the employees.
12. Worthwhile activity:
- Congenial associates;
- Comfortable, safe, and attractive working conditions;
- Competent and fair leadership;
- Reasonable orders and directions;
- Socially relevant organization.
Factors to which peoples usually respond are pay, job security, praise and recognition, competition, knowledge of results, participation, pride, a delegation of authority, cultural variation, social factor, the opportunity for advancement, a worthwhile activity, etc.
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