Exam 14: Motivating Employees

Lorenzo, a sales executive at Opheus International, was identified early on as a high-achiever. His manager took a personal interest in his career and provided him good assignments, targeted training, and development programs. However, after a couple of years, it was evident that Lorenzo was not living up to his potential. He was demotivated and dissatisfied with his job. Which of the following facts, if true, would explain Lorenzo's lack of motivation?

All individuals have the same motivational drive; it just manifests itself in different ways.

The three-needs theory of motivation states that there are three ________ needs that are major motives in work.

When a mail sorter's job is expanded to include mail delivery, the mail sorter has experienced job enlargement.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Scenario) Joe supervises several employees, and they exhibit a wide range of behaviours. He has just returned from a conference on worker motivation where he was introduced to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Joe hopes to use this theory to gain a better understanding of his subordinates' behaviour. First there is Julie, who was hired only a week ago. She is currently preoccupied with finding a place to live and locating the nearest grocery stores and emergency services. Joe is hoping she will get these things sorted out soon so she can focus more clearly on her work. Then there is Jamie. When Joe asked her to work late next month, she agreed to as long as there was a security guard to escort her across the company grounds to the underground parking lot. Joe gladly made the arrangements with the security department. Also, there is Jason, who recently complained that his work was not challenging enough. He said he was not growing or using his full potential in his current job. Next there is Jessica-the "social butterfly"-who was constantly flitting from one work station to another, chatting with other employees. Not only did she have difficulty getting her own work done, but she also slowed down the work pace of everyone else! Finally, there is Larry, who seems to continually need attention and recognition. When Larry accomplished a goal, he wanted everyone in the department to know about his success. Quite an interesting mix of employees, thought Joe. -Jessica is at which level on the hierarchy of needs?

Historically, equity theory focused on __________ justice, which is the perceived fairness of the amount and allocation of rewards among individuals.

When faced with a difficult task, individuals with low self-efficacy tend to give up altogether.

According to the JCM, which three job characteristics are crucial to an employee experiencing meaningfulness of his or her work?

Which expectancy theory variable best explains the belief that having a high grade point average is critical in obtaining a good job?

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Application of Early Theories of Motivation (Scenario) Weston has two very different first-line supervisors who report directly to him. Aaron really "cracks the whip" at his employees and firmly believes in strict controls and punishment for those who do not meet company expectations. Zach, on the other hand, has very few controls and believes that as long as people know what their objectives are, they will exercise self-control and self-direction. Aaron has been trying to use working conditions to increase the level of productivity in his department. When workers complained about unsafe working conditions, Aaron supplied them with protective gear and implemented new safety procedures. However, despite the improved working conditions, employees were still not motivated. Zach, on the other hand, had chosen to delegate responsibility and offer workers opportunities for growth. These efforts appeared to be much more successful at improving productivity. -According to Maslow, the concerns expressed by the workers in Aaron's department reflect which level of needs?

Goal-setting theory assumes that an individual is committed to the goal. Commitment is most likely when ________.

Believing that individual's attitudes toward work determined success or failure, Herzberg investigated the question "__________"

In countries such as Japan, Greece, and Mexico where uncertainty avoidance characteristics are strong, security needs would be at the top of the needs hierarchy.

The economic recession of the last few years saw employees at the receiving end of job insecurity, layoffs, tight budgets, minimal or no pay raises, benefit cuts, no bonuses, and long hours doing the work of those who had been laid off. Assuming that you were a manager during these difficult times, how would you motivate your employees?

In the job characteristics model (JCM), task significance refers to the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work.

You are acting as manager and mentor to Melanie, an employee who has been identified as a high achiever. Going by McClelland's three-needs theory, which of the following measures would best help you to motivate Marsha to do her best?

According to the job characteristics model, combining fragmented tasks will help increase skill variety and task identity.

Katie has just been asked to type up a report in two days using a software program she has never seen before. Furthermore, 15 graphs, bar charts, and pie charts are an integral part of the report. She will have to use a colour laser printer in a different department because their department does not have one. Katie wonders if she will be able to get her project accomplished on time and in the format requested by her manager. According to Vroom's expectancy theory, Katie's motivation level may be influenced by low __________.

Job __________ refers to the degree of control employees have over their work.

Job __________ is the vertical expansion of a job by adding planning and evaluating responsibilities.