Economical Sciencies/6. Marketing and Management

O. Yatsuta

Motivation as a Management Function

National University of Food Technology

Motivation is next to directing. Managers can motivate their subordinates while guiding them. Motivating means encouraging people to take more initiative and interest in the work assigned. It is an art of getting things done willingly from others.

Motivation avoids clashes and non-cooperation and brings harmony, unity and co-operative outlook among employees. Managers have to work as motivators of their subordinates. For this, effective communication, proper appreciation of work done and positive encouragement are necessary and useful. Motivation is inspiring and encouraging people to work more and contribute for achieving the objectives of the company. The creation of the desire and willingness to perform the job efficiently is known as motivation.

Motivation is a psychological and sociological concept as it relates to human behavior and human relations. It is the most fundamental and all pervasive concept of psychology. For motivation, sweet words are useful but are certainly not adequate. Motivation basically relates to human needs, desires and expectations. In other words, these factors suggest the measures which can be used for the motivation of employees.

In motivation, efforts should be made to satisfy the different needs of employees so that they will be satisfied, happy and away from tensions. This creates favorable environment because of which employees take more interest and initiative in the work and perform their jobs efficiently. Motivation is a technique of creating attraction for the job. It is encouraging employees for better performance in order to achieve the goals of an Organization. The process of motivation is a continuous one (circular one) and is beneficial to both - employer and employees. It is a key to improve work performance of employees.

The term 'motive' is derived from the Latin word 'emovere' which means to move or to activate. Motivation is the act of making someone to act in the desired manner through positive encouragement. It is through motivation that employees can be induced to work more, to earn more and to give better results to the Organization.

Motivation occupies an important place and position in the whole management process. This technique can be used fruitfully for encouraging workers to make positive contribution for achieving organizational objectives. Motivation is necessary as human nature needs some sort of inducement, encouragement or incentive in order to get better performance. Motivation of employee’s offers may benefits to the Organisation and also to the employees. This suggests the importance of motivating employees. Motivation acts as a technique for improving the performance of employees working at different levels.

Motivation of employees is one function which every manager has to perform along with other managerial functions. A manager has to function as a friend and motivator of his subordinates. Motivation is useful in all aspects of life and even our family life. The same is the case with business. This dearly suggests that motivation is extremely important. It is an integral part of management process itself.

The most famous of all human relations movement and research were Hawthorne Experiments. So named because they were carried on in Hawthorne plant of western Electric Company of Chicago in USA.

Dr. Elton Mayo led a team from Harward University which cooperated with western electric co. in the period 1927-1936 to carry out Hawthorne Experiments. They identified following details.

1. Recognized the importance of employee attitudes such as understanding voluntary co-operations and willing dedication in accomplishment of organizational goals.

2. Found that employee performance is very much influenced by his attitude towards his job, associates and management.

3. Proved that organizational firm can gain only when its employees are satisfied contented in their jobs.

4. Pointed out that any change to be should be made should be explained and its meaning should be clear to employees. The fact that change is logical is not enough because employees may not appreciate the logic.

5. Explored much of information on group behavior.

6. Thus have provided the basis for much of what we know about getting along with all, problem employees in particular.

Literature:

1. Abba U.E., Anazodo R.O., Okoye J.C. (2004) Management and Organizational Behaviour. Onitsha: Abbot Books Ltd

2. Osovska G., Principles of Management. - K.: "Condor", 2003 - 556 p.

3. Robbins S.P. & Sanghi, S. (2005). Organizational Behaviour. Delhi: Pearson Education.

4. Sladkevich, Cherniavsky Modern Management: - K.: AIDP, 2003. - 152.

5. Stadnyk . Management: User / Valentine Stadnyk, Nicholas Yohna. -K.: The Academy, 2003. -463 P.