Two main approaches to the study of motivation

This article discusses the two main approaches to the study of motivation: content theory and process theory. Content theory focuses on the rationales for individual motivation, while process theory emphasizes the impact of behavioral patterns on individual aspirations. The article also evaluates each motivational theory in the context of Richer Sounds, a business that achieved success through highly motivated workers.

Organizational behavior

Contents
MAIN BODY.............................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................5

MAIN BODY
1. Two main approaches to the study of motivation.
Content theory explains the rationales for individual's motivation, whereas process theory
emphasizes the impact of behavioral patterns on individual's aspirations. Content theories
comprises hierarchy of needs/wants of Maslow, two factors theory of the Herzberg etc.
Reinforcements, Expectancy, Equity and Target Setting Theories incorporate process
theories (Latham, 2019). Distinction between the content theory as well as process theory
is which the content theory often explores the causes for shifting human desires whereas
process theory emphasis on the psychological mechanisms that influence motivation in
terms of equity objectives goals, and preferences.
2. Evaluation of each motivational theory in the context of Richer Sounds:
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs- In accordance of Maslow there are five basic needs of
man which are basic need, safety need, belongingness and love need, esteem need and
self-actualization need (Camaj, 2019). In a common man these need start to grow step by
step and same in the context of employees too. In the business of Richer sounds, their
managers might have focused on these need of employees which led to success of
individuals and organization.
Alderfer’s ERG theory of motivation- as per this theory, there are three groups of need of
people which are existence (E), relatedness (R), and growth (G). In order to motivate
employees, each aspect is too crucial and important. With relation to above case study,
the business of Richer sounds got success only due to highly motivated workers. The
workers of above case got motivated because their managers focused firstly on existence
in company than their importance for business and in last by providing appropriate
growth resources. As these need of their employees fulfilled than automatically they
worked with full of efficiency and effectiveness.
Vroom’s Expectancy theory- Vroom's theory of assumption suggests that action arises
from deliberate decisions between alternatives aimed at optimizing satisfaction and
mitigating discomfort. Vroom discovered that the success of a worker is dependent on

individual variables such as personality, talents, intelligence, expertise and skills. These
all aspects play a significant role in order to motivate an employee to work with full of
effectiveness. In the context of above Richer Sounds business, this theory might have
been applied by focusing on those factors which are important for success of a company.
They worked on personal skills of employees which lead to higher success in long run.
Contingency leadership theory: Under this theory different kinds of model of leadership
are included and Hersey’s and Blanchard’s situational leadership model is one of them.
This Model assumes no one leadership method is better than the other (Taylor, Boat and
Murphy, 2020). Rather than relying on working conditions, the model recommends that
leaders adapt their preferences and skills to those whom they lead. In the context of above
Richer Sounds business, it had been used by their managers and leaders in order to lead
subordinates more effectively. They changed their style of leading accordance of nature
of learners and this resulted in higher progress of above business to become worldwide
seller of electronic equipment.

REFERENCES
Latham, G.P., 2019. Perspectives of a practitioner-scientist on organizational
psychology/organizational behavior. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and
Organizational Behavior, 6, pp.1-16.
Camaj, L., 2019. Motivational theories of agenda-setting effects: An information selection and
processing model of attribute agenda-setting. International Journal of Public Opinion
Research, 31(3), pp.441-462.
Taylor, I.M., Boat, R. and Murphy, S.L., 2020. Integrating theories of self-control and
motivation to advance endurance performance. International Review of Sport and
Exercise Psychology, 13(1), pp.1-20.