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The Effect of Motivation on an Employee's Work Performance Essay

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The aim of this essay is to give an in depth explanation on the effect that motivation can have on an employees' commitment and performance at work. It will examine several different motivational theories and their criticisms. It will also look at how differing attitudes of an employee affect motivation. Finally it will examine how motivation is linked to commitment and performance at work.

What is Motivation? Motivation can be described as a driving force within us. It makes people try and achieve certain targets in order to satisfy a particular need or expectation. It makes an individual behave in a certain way and makes them make decisions to act in a certain way and to continue with these actions until they satisfy their needs and …show more content…

His hierarchy of needs is shown as a series of steps in the form of a pyramid. There are 5 main levels in the hierarchy ranging from physiological needs at the lowest level to self actualisation at the highest level. Maslow's hierarchy also takes into consideration the physiological need of the body, the safety needs, the love needs and finally esteem needs. The physiological need of the body includes satisfying hunger and thirst, as well as the need for oxygen, sleep and sexual desire. The safety need is based on the idea of being free from any pain or threat of physical attack and for predictability and orderliness. The love need level of the hierarchy includes the sense of being part of a group, taking part in social activity, having friends and the sharing love. Finally there is esteem which is gaining self-respect involving confidence, independence and achievement. Maslow stated that "a satisfied need is no longer a motivator". Only needs that are unsatisfied motivate a person. If people can no longer be motivated then arguably their performance in the work place will suffer. If their needs cannot be met or have already been met an individual may feel that they have nothing to work for or towards and will therefore be unhappy in their job and want change. It is however arguable whether different cultures around the world are able to meet the needs in Maslow's hierarchy or will ever meet the needs and whether his hierarchy can

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