Improving Staff Performance

 

Explain the differences between content and process theories.

[Management and Organisational Behaviour – 9^th Edition – Mullins] things that theories attempt to explain those specific things that actually motivate employees. There are two main categories of motivation theories, for example content theories and process theories.

The content theory of motivation primarily focuses on the internal factors that affect human behaviour at the work place. It also focuses on factors within the individual that can lead to motivation.   The major content theories are Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s motivator-hygiene theory.

Another type of motivation is called process theory. This type of motivation provides an opportunity to understand the thought processes that influence behaviour at the work place. The most common process theories are Adam’s equity theory and Vroom’s expectancy theory.

Choose one organisation and identify all the ways in which they motivate their employees. Use primary research and/or secondary sources.  This information can often be found within the careers section of the website for that organisation

ASDA has several motivational strategies to make their employees work to best of their ability. They offer their employees a competitive package for the reason that they believe in rewarding their employees for what they do. To show how much they appreciate their staff they have developed a world class benefits and reward package.

Colleague Discount

When you work at ASDA for more than 12 weeks, the staff at ASDA will receive a Colleague Discount Card which allows them to save 10% off many items they buy in ASDA or ASDA Living stores. They are also able use their discount card in WalMart stores around the world, which will be useful if they want to go on holiday.

This is one way to motivate employees for the reason that it will save employees having to buy the full price of products. The quality of the products doesn’t change just the price.

Bonus

They also have an annual colleague discretionary bonus scheme. It is designed to recognise and reward colleagues at ASDA for their valued contribution throughout the bonus year and their continued contribution to ASDA. This is only eligible to employees who meet the length of service criteria.

This will motivate employees to work more efficiently for the reason that they will have something to look forward to at the end of every year. On the other hand the only problem with this motivation scheme some colleagues may fail to stay with the company for a year due to their contract only being temporary, and sometimes the colleagues who are only temporary usually work the hardest then the employees who are permanent. They tend to this for the reason they want to show the managers that they are worthy enough to be a permanent staff.

Review how this organisation uses one of the process theories in practice.

When people feel fairly or treated fairly they more likely to be motivated rather feeling like they are being treated unfairly, they will automatically feel demotivated. ASDA ensures that they treat all their staff fairly and equally in the workplace to motivate the workers. They do this in several ways. One way they do this is by providing all the employees the same uniform. This is one way to make the employees feel that they are all equal.

At ASDA they also try their best to make sure that pay their colleagues at a similar rate this will help the staff feel that they are being treated fairly. On the other hand this does indicate that everyone gets the same pay rate since all workers do not fulfil the stores demands in the same way.  

In conclusion I think it is highly essential that every buisness practice content or process theories in the workplace to motivate their employees. Staff that feel that their work has been recognised and appreciated would automatically feel motivated to do more for the buisness.
If all staff feel like this in the workplace then this is more than likely to make the buisness more successful and will lead them to generate more profit for the business.