Motivation refers to the internal and external reasons that stimulate or encourage people to act. Motivation can be used in companies to stimulate the workers to be interested in their jobs. The workers are motivated such as the pay method through various ways. The use of remuneration methods has different strengths and limitations. A limitation of the pay motivation method is that it is an extrinsic factor that is expected by the workers and as such may not work to motivate the employees since they think it is their right. This is in line with the Herzberg two-factor theory that classifies salary as a tangible motivator that may result to dissatisfaction among workers (Miner 1993). Nevertheless, pay motivation strength lies in its ability to improve commitment and productivity of the workers. This is in line with the McGregor theory Y (Weiner 1992).
Perception of inequity about paying affects the production relationship and contentment of workers. As the equity theory puts it, administrators should maintain a fair balance of the inputs and outputs of the employees. When an individual worker in a factory is hard working and productive, he/she should be motivated by reward or recognition (Hume 1995).
The manager can use the different motivation theories to promote contentment, productivity and fair equity among the employees. For example in a business organization workers of the same level should be paid equal salaries. However, individual efforts, productivity, and commitment should be rewarded.
Motivation theories avail various critical values that managers can use towards organization behavior. Such benefits include; recognition of individual's efforts, skills, loyalty, and determination. Equity among employees, promoting contentment, and cultivating proper relations among the workers are also values that are acquired from motivation theory that affect organization behavior.
References
Hume, DA, 1995, Reward Management: Employee Performance, Motivation and Pay, Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers.
Miner, JB, 1993, Role Motivation Theories, London: Routledge.
Weiner, B, 1992, Human Motivation: Metaphors, Theories, and Research. Newbury Park, Calif: Sage.
