Resources for Courses
Motivation Movers Resources for Courses Teacher notes This activity is designed to introduce students to motivation theory whilst also building on their application, analysis and evaluation skills. How to play Organise the class into four groups who sit together round a table Each group selects one of the 4 products, one of the 4 business types and a card detailing the structure of the business and some information about their staff Give each group one of the motivation theory cards Each group starts with the first task, where they write a report suggesting how to motivate the staff at their given business using their given theory (around 20 minutes should be given for this task) After the given time, the group move to the next table. They read the report written by previous group and choose one benefit and one problem of the suggestions made. The group need to analyse the benefit and problem using analysis grids (Green for their advantage, red for their disadvantage) (around 15 minutes should be given for this task) The group will then move again to the next table, reviewing the report and analysis to produce an evaluation: should that business adopt the methods? They will complete this on the evaluation grid, which encourages students to show both judgement and justification (around 15 minutes should be given for this task) Finally, the group move to the last table and review all the work there. The group will work together and use a scorecard to grade the work of previous groups, each group will then be able to get a score on each of their three skills from the previous three tables they have visited (around 10 minutes should be given for this task). By the end of the session, the whole class has been able to review each of the four major motivation theories and how they can apply to business scenarios. They have also each practised all their vital Business Studies skills of application, analysis and evaluation! The groups can get themselves a total for each skill and overall by visiting each table to see the scores they got for each task.
Abraham Maslow Frederick Taylor
Theorist: Frederick Taylor Theorist: Abraham Maslow What did he say? Taylor believed that workers are mainly motivated by money. His theory states: Workers have a dislike of work and need close supervision and control Production should be broken down into small tasks The focus is on efficiency, so staff are given training and tools to maximise their productivity should be paid based upon how many items they produce (known as piece rate). How does this apply to businesses? Taylor s theory allows businesses to focus on productive efficiency, and to develop motivation tools that will maximise this. This involves selecting financial rewards that will encourage staff to work harder such as bonuses and piece rate. What did he say? Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs, a pyramid that describes levels of human needs that motivate us. The principles of Maslow s theory are: Every individual starts at the bottom of the pyramid They will first be motivated to achieve their basic needs (food, shelter) Once achieved, people are motivated to achieve the next level, until they reach self-actualisation which is the realisation of their full potential. Abraham Maslow How does this apply to businesses? The theory is used to help management to identify which level staff have reached, they can design strategies to motivate their staff to reach the next level. For example, working in teams can promote social needs and job security helps meet safety needs. Frederick Taylor
Elton Mayo Frederick Herzberg
Theorist: Frederick Herzberg Theorist: Elton Mayo What did he say? Herzberg developed the two-factor theory of motivation. The two factors were: 1 Hygiene factors (items that do not motivate staff but would cause demotivation if they were not offered e.g. pay and safe conditions) 2 Motivators (factors that could directly improve motivation). Herzberg believed consultation and improving the content of a job to make it more interesting were the most important motivators. These should be offered in addition to the basic hygiene factors to motivate staff. How does this apply to businesses? Management are encouraged to focus on motivators and to use techniques such as job enrichment (giving workers more complex tasks) and job enlargement (giving staff more variety in their role) to make job roles more interesting and rewarding. What did he say? Mayo believed workers wanted more from work than money, and that staff would be motivated to work harder if their social needs were met: His studies concluded: Managers should take more of an interest in their workers and show them support Involving staff in decision making can be motivating Communication with staff at all levels is very important Working in groups or teams can motivate. How does this apply to businesses? Managers can develop motivation strategies based upon involving staff in the business, such as quality circles and consultation. Regular communication can be used to keep staff involved in the business, and working in teams is encouraged. Elton Mayo Frederick Herzberg
Scenario Cards - Type of Business Scenario Cards - Type of Business Large multi-site retailer Scenario Cards - Type of Business Bespoke manufacturer Small scale local retailer Scenario Cards - Type of Business Large scale bulk manufacturer
Scenario Cards - Type of Product Scenario Cards - Type of Product Shoes Cars Scenario Cards - Type of Product Chocolate Scenario Cards - Type of Product IT Equipment
Scenario Cards /Structure Information Scenario Cards /Structure Information Managing Director CEO Manager Manager Manager Engineering Sales and Marketing Purchasing R&D Formal/traditional structure Tall structure with many levels of hierarchy Most staff on permanent, full time contracts Labour turnover is high at 28% Scenario Cards /Structure Information Managing Director Manager Flat structure with only a few levels of hierarchy Communication flows in all directions Most staff are part-time and temporary, brought in on a short-term basis at the busy times of the year (leading to high levels of labour turnover) Product A Manager Product A Manager Product Team A Product Team B Matrix structure with staff organised into product teams Approximately 50% of staff are on temporary contracts Labour turnover is in line with the average for the industry at 18% Scenario Cards /Structure Information Focal Person Structure based around one central leader who makes most decisions Labour turnover is relatively low but increasing Lines of accountability and communication are fluid
Scorecard Scorecard Scorecard Application Application Application Reasonable Scorecard Scorecard Scorecard Analysis Reasonable Scorecard Scorecard Scorecard Evaluation Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable Analysis Reasonable Evaluation Reasonable Analysis Reasonable Evaluation Reasonable
Motivation Movers - Task Cards Part 1 Create a report You have been assigned a type of business and a type of product. You also have a card describing a particular motivation theory. You need to act as a team of HR consultants who will advise your given business on how they can motivate their staff using the theory that you have been given. Your report needs to be persuasive, aiming to convince the business that your theory is going to be the most effective way to motivate their staff and improve staff performance: Theorist: Product Type: Business Type: Use the template given to create your report. In part 2 of the task, your report will be scrutinised by another team so it needs to be clear, detailed and structured. The timer will be set for 20 minutes for this task. Motivation Movers - Task Cards Part 2 Analyse the suggestions On your new table, you are now the board of directors of the business that the report has been written for. You need to read their report and decide on one benefit and one problem of the suggestions that they have made. You will then work as a team to analyse the advantage and disadvantage that you have selected, stating what the suggestions might lead to for the business. Use the analysis grids provided to fully explain your points (green grid for the advantage, red grid for the disadvantage), showing strong analysis skills and cause and effect. The timer will be set for 15 minutes for this task.
Motivation Movers - Task Cards Part 3 Evaluate On your new table, this time you will create an evaluation for the suggestions that have been made and make an overall recommendation to the business on that table. You will first make a judgement: do you believe that the business should adopt the suggestions offered by the consultants? You then need to justify your choice, explaining why you think the business should/should not adopt the suggested approaches. Use the JJ grid to complete your evaluation. The timer will be set for 15 minutes for this task. Motivation Movers - Task Cards Part 4 Score! On your new table, you will now score the efforts of previous groups. Use the scorecard to record the scores you have given. 1 Score the report based on application Has the theory been applied well to the scenario? Do the suggestions link well with the type of business and type of product chosen? application: 1-3 Reasonable application: 4-7 application: 8-10 2 Score the analysis grids Have the group used connectives and a logical chain of analysis? analysis: 1-3 Reasonable analysis: 4-7 analysis: 8-10 3 Score the overall evaluation Has the group made a clear judgement? Has their judgement been well justified? evaluation: 1-3 Reasonable evaluation: 4-7 evaluation: 8-10 The timer will be set for 10 minutes for this task.
Motivation Movers - Analysis Grid Point: Analysis:
Motivation Movers - Analysis Grid Point: Analysis:
Motivation Movers - Report Template Report to suggest motivation techniques to implement within your business. To: From: Date: Suggestions:
Motivation Movers - Evaluation Grid Judgement (Overall we think...) Justify (Because...)