Employee Motivation: Role in Modern Management

Surviving the existing competition and remaining profitable and relevant in the market is a challenge faced by any organization. In order to achieve this, different approaches are available for use by different organizations. One such avenue, which is probably the most productive, is the motivation of the employees. Motivation refers to creating a friendly environment and conditions that challenge the workforce to produce their best and try to outperform their targets. This ensures that the productivity is maximum and the set goals and objectives achieved with ease. With regard to this, the role of employee motivation in the modern management cannot be overemphasized.

First, employee motivation leads to increased willingness to work hence increased productivity and reduced turnover.Researchers agree thatperceptions of rewards lead human resource outcomes such as employee job satisfaction, work motivation, effective commitment, high levels of performance and organizational effectiveness (Bratton & Gold, 2007). Attitude influences how well they accomplish tasks and their willingness to take the extra mile towards achieving the goals and objectives of the organization. Motivated employees hardly get any reasons to quit (Nujjo & Meyer, 2012).The management has the role of rewarding the employees favorably for their work, hence keeping them interested to work. Motivation through rewards is of two types; extrinsic motivation, which involves motivation by use of external factors such as monetary incentives and rewards; and intrinsic motivation which is the self-drive by employees themselves to achieve and outdo their best for their own satisfaction(Frey & Osterloh, 2002).A manager can employ either or both of the two forms of motivation to ensure great unity of purpose among employees and maintaining their desire to work at all high.Difeerent employees require different forms motivation and the manager may determine the best form of motivation for the different employees (Nujjo & Meyer, 2012). This is achievable through communication with the employees individually to know what motivates them.

Additionally, employee motivation ensures better utilization of organization resources. Motivated employeesfeel the urgency to put to the right use every resource they have towards achievement of own goals as well as meeting the organization goals and objectives. These resources could include time or company equipment. According to Hiam (2003),motivated employees tend to spend a longer period, than maybe required of them, in a firm, leading to increased productivity and have lower cases of absenteeism and low turnover.Motivated workforce maybe compelled to ensure efficiency in the organization and enable realization of its goals and objectives (Lipman, 2013).

Finally, employee motivation significantly increases the chances of meeting the goals and objectives of an organization. Motivated employees feel the challenge and determination to be better at their work. Motivation refers to the creating a friendly environment and conditions that challenge the workforce to produce their best and try to outperform their targets.Motivated employees look for ways to enhance their performance at the workplace, and, therefore, undertake personal development measures to improve their skills (Maddock & Fulton, 1998). This would be ideal for any organization since it would ensure that the productivity remains at its prime hence enabling the business to achieve its set goals and objectives. Human performance and productivity greatly increase whenmotivated in any way (Muogbo, 2013). For increased productivity, and ensuring the company meets its set objectives, employers should develop policies and put in place procedures that enable them attract new employees, motivate the employees they have, retain them and be able to satisfy the needs of their employees (Muogbo, 2013).

In conclusion, the immediate survival and profitability of any organization depends on the devotion of the management to keep employees motivated. Motivation is a major determining factor on employee productivity, attitude towards work and hence the overall performance of an organization. The management has the mandate of ensuring the employees remain motivated and dedicated to the organizations goals and objectives through motivation.

References

Bratton, J., & Gold, J. (2007). Human Resource Mangement: Theory and Practice. (4^thedition). New York: palgrave Macmillan.

Frey, B. S., & Osterloh, ?M. (2002). Successful management by motivation: Balancing intrinsic and extrinsic incetives. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Hiam, A. (2003). Motivational management: Inspiring your people for maximum performance. New York, NY: AMACOM.

Lipman, V. (2013, May 18). 5 easy ways to motivate- And demotivate- Employees. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/03/18/5-easy-ways-to-motivate-and-demotivate-employees/

Maddock, R. C., & Fulton, ?R. L. (1998). Motivation, emotions, and leadership: The silent side of management. Westport, CT: Quorum Books.

Muogbo, U. S., (2013). The Impact of Employee Motivation on Organization Performance. The International Journal of Engineering and science, 2(7), 70-80.

Nujjo, A., & Meyer, I. (2012). The Importance of different Types of Rewards for Employee Motivation and Commitment in South Africa. SA Journal of human resource management, 10(2), p.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v10i2.442