QUESTION Ron’s manager offered him tickets to the theater if he worked the weekend to finish a proposal. Following Vroom’s expectancy theory, Ron quickly did two assessments (expectancy and instrumentality) and is still motivated. What assessment and companion question must Ron ask to determine his final motivation? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER […]
QUESTION Suppose that Oak Meteors institutes a Super Bonus program that provides a large cash award for the business developer with the greatest year-to-year increase in revenue. A manager claims that this would encourage business developers to do poorly in one year in order to make it easier to do much better in the subsequent […]
QUESTION Compared to many other motivational theories, what is a key difference underlying equity theory? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Answer: Many motivational theories are grounded in management’s desire and methods to improve work performance among employees. Equity theory is grounded in the employees’ perceptions regarding the fairness of their work experience. […]
QUESTION Equity theory is centered on employees’ perceptions about whether they are being paid fairly for the work they perform. What are the three key elements of this theory? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Answer: The key elements of equity theory are contributions (or inputs), returns (or outputs), and comparisons. Explanation: In […]
QUESTION On weekends at Dante’s burger shop, the line at the drive-up window backs up into the street because his teen staff is unfocused and inefficient. He tried to apply goal-setting theory, giving staff a pep talk and saying, “I need you guys to do better,” but the last two weekends, nothing changed. Why? What […]
QUESTION How are work-life benefits for employees considered more than a reward for top performers? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Answer: Some employees are less productive at work due to everyday challenges in their home life. Work-life balance benefits can help these “underperforming” employees be more effective at work. Explanation: Employees who […]
QUESTION Why are expressions of “mass praise” to employees less effective? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Answer: If everyone is acknowledged, then no employee feels special. The point of praising an employee is to help him or her feel acknowledged—and to motivate the employee. Explanation: The point of praising an employee is […]
QUESTION In a recent survey asking university students worldwide what was important in a job, many said they need to do something that matters. This sentiment reflects what core job characteristic outlined in job enrichment theory? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Answer: This reflects task significance, which is the degree to which […]
QUESTION Macmoo’s compensation structure is based on which of the following principles? A) People will act to accomplish a goal when they have a stake in the accomplishment of that goal. B) An incentive structure should be as simple as possible. C) An incentive structure is more effective when it encourages people to act in […]
QUESTION Scientific management and time-motion studies broke down tasks into individual actions to improve productivity. What motivational theory breaks down organizational objectives into specific goals for all employees? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Answer: Management by objectives (MBO) breaks down larger objectives into smaller goals for individual employees. Explanation: Management by objectives […]
