Contemporary Theories on Motivation - III

Frederick Herzberg

These are referred to as contemporary theories because these theories are able to more appropriately explain the phenomenon of the motivation in the contemporary organizations. There are eight theories in this regard. I will deal with the following theories in this article.

1.      Expectancy Theory of Motivation

2.      Porter and Lawler’s Theory

Expectancy Theory of Motivation

This theory emphasizes that the strength of an individual’s tendency to act depends on strength of an individual’s expectation that the individual’s effort will lead towards the attainment of outcome and the outcome is attractive to the individual. Thus, the individual’s effort is dependent on individual’s positive expectation that it will result into the desired outcome. This theory is based on three kinds of relationships that operate at the psychological level. It is trying to emphasize that individual’s effort is dependent on a preceding psychological state.

1.      Effort-Performance- It refers to the effort of an individual is dependent on the individual’s positive expectation about the effort culminating into performance or activities.

2.      Performance-Reward- It refers to the fact that the resultant performance will be positively valued and will attract reward.

3.      Reward-Satisfaction- The reward is valued only when it is desirous resulting into satisfaction.

It is also being referred to as VIE (Valence, Instrumentality, Expectancy) Theory. Valence refers to the strength of an individual’s desire towards the goal. Thereby, valence could be positive as well as negative.

1.      Valence being positive means that the individual is desirous of the goal. Valence being negative means that the individual is not desirous of the goal. It explains the readiness of an individual to take effort.

2.      Expectancy means that the individual has a positive expectation that the individual’s effort will result into the first level outcome. It explains the actual effort undertaken by the individual.

Porter and Lawler’s Theory

The primary contribution of this theory is the redefinition of the relationship between performance and satisfaction. The basic analysis of this theory about the individual’s motivation is a repetition of the Expectancy Theory of Motivation. It has used the same concepts and same arguments to explain individual’s motivation as were used by the Expectancy Theory. But, while explaining with similar types of correlations and explanations, the theory has brought in final points or additional points into it. It has also been developed through concepts like effort, performance, reward and satisfaction.

Effort-Performance Relationship- This theory says that the performance is dependent not only on the amount of effort but also on the ability and role perception. The performance will be more if it is taken along with skill and ability. Role Perception means the clarity about the goal. If the effort is taken with a clear perception about the goal, the effort remains focused and the performance is high.

On the other hand, if the effort is taken up without clarity about the goal, the effort will lack focus and the performance will be low. The performance when results into the reward and the reward being considered as satisfaction depends on whether the reward is desirable or not.

According to this theory, when the performance being related to satisfaction is direct, it enjoys a stronger link than the satisfaction being linked to performance which is indirect enjoying a weaker link. When the satisfaction is contingent to performance, it is strong but the performance derived out of an expectation of satisfaction is indirect and weak.

These theories can be divided into two parts.

1.      Content Theories of Motivation- It refers to all those theories of motivation which explains the individual’s motivation with the help of certain variables or things which are the basis for motivation. These are based on an idea i.e. what is it that brings about motivation? E.g. ERG, Maslow, Alderfer, Herzberg.

2.      Process Theories of Motivation- It refers to all those theories which try to explain the motivation of an individual by elaborating the psychological process or the cognitive conditions as the basis for motivation. E.g. Job Design, Equity Theory, Porter-Lawler etc. (What influences the individual towards taking an effort?)