Process theories of motivation focus on the cognitive processes underlying an individuals level of motivation. this approach provides a description and analysis of how behavior is energized, directed, sustained and stopped. Process theories help explain how an employees behavior is initiated, redirected and halted according to Nancy Borkowski (2009).
Content Theories: Process Theories:
- ERG Theory - Adams Equity Theory
- Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory - Porter's Performance Satisfaction Model
- Achievement Motivation Theory - Goal Setting Theory
- Herzberg Two Factor Theory - Vroom's Expectancy Theory
The Equity Theory on job motivation, created by a psychologist known as John Adams has been circulating since 1963. The theory talks about how employees who feel they are being treated fairly are likely to do more or better work than those who do not. An example of this is 'treat me like and equal, i'll work like an equal; treat me in a inferior manner, i will work in an inferior manner'.
In short, the theory focuses on input verses output. its a a game of give and take and your employees will always be trying to figure out if there efforts are worth rewards they have been given. People may think that salary and benefits you agree to give a person should be enough to encourage him to do his job. Many people get to work and feel as though they are constantly being asked to go above and beyond the call of duty and, at a very minimum, completer tasks that are not part of their job descriptions. Therefore, the average person does not feel his salary matches he work that he does. Harold Koontz et al (2006) said 'If people feel that they are inequitably rewarded, they may be dissatisfied, reduce the quantity or quality of output or leave the organisation'.
Employees look to be treated fairly and equitably at all time. There are dozens of things a employer can do to make their employees feel valuable, from rewarding them with bonuses to buying them lunch or giving them extra incentives for extra work or a job well done. This will also increase morale in the work place.
What Motivates people to enroll in the British Army:
>Pay - The Army rewards for hard work. Its not the only reward you get but they offer a decent rate of pay from the moment you start your training. Once you have completed training your pay goes up and then increases onward's as you get promoted. They say a soldier can get up to three pay rises each year and with subsidised food, travel and accommodation. The main reward package is called the X factor (nothing to do with music). It compares Army Job to a similar civilian job, it normally means soldiers take home an extra 14% compared to the closest civilian job.
>Pensions - The Army's pension scheme is argued to be one of the best there is, there is no salary deducted to pay into it which is better off in the long run. Soldiers could be entitled to payments and a tax-free lump sum after 18 years regular service.
>Scholarships/Grants/Bursaries - The Army can help with the cost of continuing education. They have scholarships, grants and bursaries to help someone get the right qualifications before you join and throughout the Army career. This means when you leave the Army you can go back into full-time education heavily subsidised by the Army through the Ehanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme.
>Incentives & Allowance - The Army offer bonuses and bounty payments to make sure they recruit and keep the people the need. Experienced soldiers who have been served there intial four-year commitment, all soldiers who have served 8 years are eligible for a single payment of £7, 500. Another scheme called the Golden Hello payment, basically after completing each phase of training you receive a payment bonus. If you are returning soldier you also get an extra payment and the Army also help you buying there own home and can also borrow up to 50% of the value of the property.
>Life Long Learning - The Army knows qualifications are important which it gives soldiers the chance to keep learning through there whole career. They can study NVQ's, GCSE's and apprenticeships right up to postgraduate qualifications, all subsidised by the Army.
>Time Off - The Army gives paid leave, if they do operations then you get more paid days off. they also help people make the most of their time off with plenty of chances to travel and take part in adventurous activities.
>Resettlement - The Army help soldiers find a new job and a place to stay when there time in the Army comes to an end. The Army's Resettlement Package helps them to return to civilian life.
>Travelling - In the Army there are different operations in different countries which soldiers will travel to and from, there are also training camps all over the world which soldiers are guaranteed to go and train at. When not training soldiers have the opportunities to do adventurous training (often part of training) such as skiing, rock climbing etc all over the world for free.
Above are the main motivators a person to persue a military carry path. However, there are a lot more un-written ones which can include, if it runs in the family, the family may pressure the individual to join. People want to fight for there country and want to make certain people proud although some have no option as they have no qualifications or have a criminal record. In some countries it is compulsory for men to serve at least four years in the Army. Donald S. Stephenson (1986) said that a soldiers motivation highlights the importance of primary groups, he may be influenced by patriotism, parental expectations, peer group pressure and governmental coercion.
Personally throughout my research findings on the British Army the theory i would closely link it to is Adams Equity Theory. Although hierarchy is a key element in the Army to achieve a sense of discipline there are many reasons why section and platoons are all close like friends, even the officers and higher ranks. For any soldier out on a exercise or operation everyone in that team needs to be able to trust each other and have exceptional teamwork skills. Even the officers and higher ranked soldiers need to trust there soldiers on the battlefield as they all work together. This comes into play when they have there free time and get to know one an other, all of the team become best of friends outside the battlefield but when its time to fight they listen to there commanders as there is a sense of discipline which they learned throughout training. If commanders are unfair and don't have a personal relationship with there soldiers it will backfire in the long run as the soldiers wont be themselves and will panic when there superiors are around. In short, soldiers are friends with superiors but when it comes to it they will listen to there officers and higher ranked soldiers.
Conclusion
The success of any company can be due to the degree of happiness and commitment their employees have towards their work and this can be controlled through the motivation and appreciation the company gives them in return. If employees feel valued they will be motivated to work harder and their performance will be better, this will then contribute to the success of the company. However, 'you can try and try and try to motivate someone to do something, but if he or she has no desire (gets no satisfaction) to do the task, then you are beating a dead horse' says Dianna Podmoroff (2005).
References
Nancy Borkowski (2009) Business & Economics: Organizational behavior, theory, and design in health care. Edition 1. Pg 106
Harold Koontz, Heinz Weihrich (2006) Essentials of Management: An International Perspective 7th Edition. Pg 295
Donald S. Stephenson (1986), University of Syracuse. The Role of Front Line Soldiers Pg 60
Dianna Podmoroff (2005) 365 Ways to Motivate and Reward your Employees Everyday - with Little or No Money. Pg 40. Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc. Copyright 2005
