Case Study: Analyzing Motivational Theories at Tesco's New Venture

This report presents a case study analysis of Tesco's application of motivational theories to enhance employee performance, particularly in their new discount stores like Jack. It delves into two key theories: the three-dimensional theory of attribution, which explores how individuals explain events and behaviors, and reinforcement theory, which examines how consequences shape behavior through rewards and punishments. The report provides a detailed overview of each theory, including its advantages and disadvantages within the context of Tesco's operations. The analysis highlights how Tesco uses these theories to understand employee behavior, improve motivation, and ultimately achieve its business objectives in a competitive market.

Task 3 – Case
Study

Executive Summary
Motivational theories discovers factors which drives individual to work towards
attainment of outcomes and goals. There are different motivational theories which can be used
by organisation to achieve a affirmative impact from employees. In this Three-dimensional
theory of attribution and Reinforcement theories are elaborated with respect Tesco and benefits
which are being rendered by the same. These theories makes a enhancement in performance of
entire organisation.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Motivation...................................................................................................................................1
Motivational theories..................................................................................................................1
Three-dimensional theory of attribution.....................................................................................1
Reinforcement theory..................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Motivation refers to word which is attained from word motive which denotes needs,
wants, desires which drives within individuals. Basically, it is a process which stimulates people
to attain their goals (Ryan and Deci, 2017). It is a factor which inspires individuals to give their
best. This essay is based on Tesco which is a multinational groceries as well as general
merchandise retailer who is headquartered in Hertfordshire, England, UK. They are about to
launch their new discount stores Jack to compete with Lidl and Aldi. This essay comprises of
two motivational theories as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Motivation
Motive is defined as urge which makes person to act. Motivation refers to an internal
process which individual to move towards their objectives and goals. This is factor can't be
measured but it can be observed by behaviour of person. It is a impulsive force which stimulates
and drives individuals to initiate as well as sustain their behaviour. If employees within
organisation lacks motivation then it creates negative impact on organisation as they are not able
to work to their complete potential (Miner, 2015). This will hamper performance of both
organisation as well as employees. Motivation can also be referred to biological, social and
psychological state which tempts person to peculiar action. Management of Tesco can motivate
employees by accomplishing their basic needs like food, shelter, etc. Furthermore, they can also
reward them on the basis of their performance.
Motivational theories
Motivational theory refers to process of screening what will lead individual to work
towards their goals or aims. As motivated individuals are more productive which will lead to
more economic usage of resources within Tesco. Therefore, it is necessary for them to make use
of motivational theories. As they are starting their new venture then at initial moment it is very
necessary to implement these theories so that employees can work up to their complete potential
(Weiner, 2013). For this Jack store has implemented Three-dimensional theory of attribution and
Reinforcement theory. These models are described below:
Three-dimensional theory of attribution
This theory is proposed by Weiner, which describes social psychology of individual at
present scenario. In this, assumptions are made to identify why people behave in peculiar way.
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Tesco has implemented this theory in order to analyse cause of behaviour or any specific event .
This model has been explicated below:
 Stability: This attribute defines how stable are the attributions? Like if within Jack store
suppose an individual “A” is not able to attain their goals like number of sales. The
reason can be they might not be smart enough , this defines the stable factor. The unstable
factors are like ill as this factor is not permanent (Das, Jevicki and Suzuki, 2017).
Another example can be taken to understand like a person do not get job promotion this
can be due to lack of ability. But this is temporary as skills can be improvised.
 Locus of control: It is defined as representation of cause associated with either internal
or external event. Again above example can be considered, i.e. employee failed in
attaining goals this will create pessimistic impact on them and they will blame them for
this. Due to this they will demotivated. Another example is, if they attain the goal then
sense of achievement can be attained which will make them motivated.
 Controllability: This depicts how controllable is the situation? If individual believe that
they might have performed better then they will be not motivated. Like a person believe
that they have given their best but still they can improve their performance, this means
that it is controllable.
Management of Jack store has implemented this model to give feedbacks to employees
and by making them know how their limitations can be removed (Miner, 2015). By this they can
make people aware of what they lack and when they overcome & make improvements,
management appreciates them.
Advantages
 This theory is used by Jack store to explicate the deviation among high as well as low and
high doers on the basis of their performance.
 High achievers will tend to attempt rather than put off responsibilities associated with
flourishing (Duval, Silvia and Lalwani, 2012).
Disadvantages
 This theory is used for blaming others and avoiding personal convictions like people start
blaming team if they are not able to attain their goals.
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 Low achievers can obviate activities which lean them towards success as they tend to
doubt their own skills as well as abilities.
Reinforcement theory
This theory illustrates the process of formulating behaviour by analysing consequences of
specific behaviour of employee (Smederevac and et. al, 2014). This includes extinction and
punishment. For creating an affirmative impact on behaviour of employees they are given
rewards by which they are motivated and they are punished when they do not behave in
systematic manner. Jack has opted for this theory as they can appreciate the one who works to
their potential and give punishment to employees who are not able to attain those.
Positive: This signifies positive response when employees work in appropriate way such
as appreciate employees when they accomplish their job and meet their goals. This leads
affirmative impact on Jack store.
Negative: This factor motivates employees to behave in appropriate manner so that
pessimistic impact do not arises. For example, if employees are not able to complete their sales
within time and management can make use of methods like review their performance on daily
basis.
Punishment: This is like creation of antagonistic consequence for eliminating the
discarded behaviour of employees (Ryan and Deci, 2017). In this case, Jack store can impose
strict warnings to employees who not behave with customers in soothing way.
Extinction: Jack store can end the behaviour of employees related with specific
situations so that they can create strong impact on minds of employees. Like they can give their
employees extra working hours to motivate and boost their performance.
Advantages of Reinforcement theory:
 Managers of Jack store can analyse performance of their employees in various situations
and motivate them accordingly.
 Employees will be able to handle challenges and their focus will be on different aspects.
This will lead to innovative ideas.
Disadvantages of Reinforcement theory:
 High efficacy among employees can create negative impact on performance of
employees as they can be overconfident (Weiner, 2013).
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CONCLUSION
From above mentioned report, it has been analysed by making use of motivational
theories organisation can attain competitiveness advantage within market. As morale of
employees will be enhanced this will lead them to perform up to their fullest potential. Jack store
deals with different employees everyday, therefore, it is necessary that employees should behave
with them in affirmative manner and for this Jack store has made use of Three-dimensional
theory of attribution and Reinforcement theory.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Das, S. R., Jevicki, A. and Suzuki, K., 2017. Three dimensional view of the SYK/AdS
duality. Journal of High Energy Physics. 2017(9). p.17.
Duval, T. S., Silvia, P. J. and Lalwani, N., 2012. Self-awareness & causal attribution: A dual
systems theory. Springer Science & Business Media.
Miner, J. B., 2015. Organizational behavior 1: Essential theories of motivation and leadership.
Routledge.
Ryan, R. M. and Deci, E. L., 2017. Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in
motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Publications.
Smederevac, S. and et. al, 2014. Validation of the measure of revised reinforcement sensitivity
theory constructs. Journal of Individual Differences.
Weiner, B., 2013. Human motivation. Psychology Press.
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