Work Motivation Theory

By:Stefanie Poteet

The video explains a few of the ways that leaders can motivate their employees in the workplace.

Academic Article: The Future of Work Motivation Theory
In an article by Richard Steers and Richard Mowday of the University of Oregon and Debra Shapiro of the University of Maryland, they address the topic of emplyee motivation and how it plays a central role in the field of management. The address different cognitive theories including expectancy theory, goal theory and the theory of self-efficacy. The article concludes with a brief description of six papers that researchers have written that offer new insights for theoretical development in motivation in the workplace.

The article elucidated the steps and theories that explain motivation in the workplace and how the were formed over the years through extensive research and studies. The conclusion of the article highlighted the changes we have seen in the workplace recently and how motivation tactics must adapt to those changes. For example, the article explains that today's workplace in characterized by an increasingly short term focus, time as a critical performance variable, increasing interdependence among employees, evolving affective responses to the workplace experience, increasing value and motive conflicts on the part of employees, and a clear recognition of the transitory nature of careers. (Steers)

Like the article addressed, leaders in the workplace must learn how to motivate their employees in the way that works for them. If you know your employees then you will know what will motivate them to work. I think that is why it is important for leaders to know different theories of motivation so that they can address each organization in the correct way. This is also important because of the constant changes in the workplace. When there is growth in an organization or workplace, generally there is also more stress that comes with it and leaders must motivate their followers to keep moving on and not to lose interest.

Citation -

'''Steers, Richard, Richard Mowday, and Debra Shapiro. "The Future of Work Motivation Theory." JSTOR. The Academy of Management Review, 2004. Web. 09 Nov. 2013. .'''