Motivational Theories: Other Theories | HL IB Business Management Revision Notes 2024

McClelland's Acquired Needs Theory

• Focus: Needs developed over time influence motivation and behavior.
• Three Acquired Needs:
  • Achievement (nAch)
    • Motivations: Desire to excel, set and achieve goals.
    • Behaviors: Seek success, appreciate feedback, enjoy problem-solving.
  • Affiliation (nAff)
    • Motivations: Form positive relationships, happiness at work.
    • Behaviors: Seek approval, prioritize harmony, avoid conflict.
  • Power (nPow)
    • Motivations: Desire to influence/control others.
    • Behaviors: Seek leadership, enjoy control.
    • Types: Personal (control others), Institutional (influence systems).
• Strengths:
  • Easy to understand, applicable across cultures.
  • Recognizes diverse needs and motivations.
• Weaknesses:
  • Oversimplifies human behavior.
  • Limited evidence for specific needs.

Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory

• Focus: Understanding motivation through psychological needs.
• Three Basic Needs:
  • Autonomy: Control and choice in life.
  • Competence: Feeling capable and effective.
  • Relatedness: Connection and belonging.
• Strengths:
  • Adaptable and applicable in various fields (business, education).
  • Backed by extensive research.
• Weaknesses:
  • Potential cultural bias towards Western contexts.
  • Overemphasis on intrinsic motivation.
  • Lack of clear measurement tools.

Equity Theory

• Focus: Perception of fairness in personal and work relationships.
• Key Concept: Comparing inputs (efforts) to outputs (rewards).
• Scenarios:
  • Under-Reward: Feeling of giving more than receiving.
  • Equity: Balance of inputs and outputs.
  • Over-Reward: Receiving more than giving.
• Restoration Methods:
  • Renegotiating terms, adjusting efforts, seeking new opportunities.
  • Businesses can ensure fairness through better communication and transparent systems.
• Strengths:
  • Easy to grasp, recognizes individual differences.
  • Highlights social comparisons.
• Weaknesses:
  • Subjective nature of fairness.
  • Ignores other influences on behavior.

Expectancy Theory

• Focus: Explaining choice and behavior.
• Three Factors:
  • Expectancy: Belief that effort leads to performance.
  • Instrumentality: Belief that performance leads to outcomes.
  • Valence: Value of outcomes.
• Improvement Steps:
  • Enhance training, increase trust, expand reward packages.
• Strengths:
  • Considers personal differences.
  • Provides clear framework for motivation.
• Weaknesses:
  • Based on subjective perceptions, may not predict behavior accurately.

Exam Tips

• Distinguish between equity (fairness) and equality (sameness).
• Recognize the personal nature of motivation and reward programs.