Expectancy Theory

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Recommended: Theories of motivation their implications

Motivation is an internal force that determines the level, direction and persistence of effort expended in an organisational environment (Dinibutun, 2012). There are many theories that aim to help explain certain behaviour at certain times. Process theories of motivation, such as Vrooms expectancy theory model, examine the cognitive process which affects decisions when it comes to alternative actions at work (Dinibutun, 2012). This essay aims to review the literature on Vrooms expectancy theory of motivation, analyse a real life work example and apply the theory and finally provide recommendations for improvement and self-development.
Literature review:
One of the many important facets of managing people within an organisational setting is motivating high levels of performance. Although a plethora of theories of motivation has been developed to offer managers the ability to improve performance and motivation of their subordinates, only few have surpassed rigorous tests of credibility of application in the workplace (Dodge & Ramsey, 1981). Vrooms expectancy theory of motivation is one such example which aims to emphasise the importance of motivation in the reasoning behind why people select particular actions or behaviours (Lee, 2007).
Over decades of empirical studies, Expectancy Theory has evolved as a basic paradigm for the study of attitudes and behaviours of humans within work and organisational environments (Lawler & Suttle, 1973). However, it is Vrooms expectancy theory of motivation that represents the first attempts to use cognitively-orientated assumptions as the basis for a general theory of work motivation (Lawler & Suttle, 1973). Although Expectancy theory doesn’t attempt to explain what motivates individuals, it focu...

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...cognitive variable within the theory is performance to outcome expectancy, also referred to as instrumentality, which is the perception or belief that meeting performance expectations will result in the attainment of valences or reward (Scholl, 2002).

Works Cited

Dinibutun, R. (2012). Work Motivation: Theoretical Framework. GSTF Business Review (GBR), 1(4), 133-139. doi:10.5176/2010-4804_1.4.138
Dodge, D., & Ramsey, J. (1981). Employee motivation: Expectancy Theory at Work. Journal of Library Administration, 1(3), 43-54. doi:10.1300/J111V01N03_05
Lawler, E., & Suttle, L. (1973). Expextancy theory and job behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 9(3), 482 - 503. doi:10.1016/0030-5073(73)90066-4
Lee, S. (2007). Vroom’s expectancy theory and the public library customer motivation model. Library Review, 56(9), 788 - 796. doi:10.1108/00242530710831239

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