workplace motivation.doc

Discuss the importance of motivation in the workplaceUnder the current situation that global competition becomes increasingly stormy, human resource has gradually turned into the actual producer of enterprise wealth. Employees are no longer considered just another input the production of goods and services. Now in order to survive and develop, every enterprise need highly productive employees to improve efficiency. Therefore, a set of employees motivating mechanism seems quite significant for business. For this paper, motivation is defined as the inner force that drives individuals to accomplish personal and organizational goals. It has been widely accepted that motivation is the key to performance improvement, which is also goes for workplace. A study by William James in Harvard University shows that, in the absence of incentives, the subordinates can only exert a general ability to work by 20%30%, and when he is inspired, his ability to work can be raised to 80%90%, where the role of incentives is 3-4times of previous situation(Wang, 2007). However, workers today are motivated by many different intentions for each individual is unique, everyone have different needs, potential, values, attitudes and goals. The most important aspect that most workers are concerned about is their wants and desires. It is important to identify employees wants and desires which includes (1) praise, rewards and recognition-often employees feel that they get noticed only for the things they do wrong, not for the things they do right; (2) job security & good working conditions; (3) opportunity to advance and gain new experiences; (4) communication-to know where they stand in the eyes of their employers and what is done right or wrong; (5) to feel involved in the company-to take part in making decision(Motivation at work, n.d). Then the following for a business is to motivate its employees, satisfying their needs. But if the managers cast an indifferent eye on the issue, in the short run a lack of motivation may lead to reduced effort and lack of commitment. If employees are watched closely, fear of wage cuts or redundancy may force them to maintain their effort even though they are not motivated. This is negative motivation. In the long run, a lack of motivation may result in high levels of absenteeism, industrial disputes and falling productivity and profit for a business. So it is argued that well motivated employees will be productive which should lead to greater efficiency and profits for a business(Business Studies). On one hand, in terms of physical motivations, such as wages, welfare, bonus, good working conditions and so on. Whatever workers personal reasons for working, the bottom line, however, is that almost everyone works for money. Whatever workers call it: compensation, salary, bonuses, benefits or remuneration, money pays the bills. Money provides housing, gives children clothing and food, sends teens to college, and allows leisure activities, and eventually, retirement. So anyway, when the essential money is guaranteed, the employees are possible to pay out their time and energy for the company, because to some extent they are working for themselves, they make a living through employment. Actually, fair and rational benefits or pay are the cornerstone of a successful company that recruits and retains committed workers. Without the fair living wage, however, a company risks losing its loyal employees, let alone to benefit from this kind of motivation. All in all, in a corporate world where money and power appear to mean success, it is key to remember that without good employee motivation at the basic level nothing else would be possible(Hick, 2006).On the other hand, spiritual motivations seem to be more effective and enduring. For example, realizing full potential, gaining the esteem and respect of others, receiving and giving love, affection, trust and acceptance. Baoshan Iron and Steel has made a series of world-renowned achievements since its construction and operation. Its quick rising and booming development should be partially owed to the Incentive 38 items , which covers goal motivation, honor motivation, role models motivation, care & support motivation, enterprise spirit motivation and so on(Modern Enterprise, 1995). Baoshan Iron and Steel Group Company through relying on the masses, enhanced its corporate cohesion, and stimulated workers creativity and passion greatly. As one of its staffs, individual is given the spirit of ownership, and has a strong sense of belonging. It make every staff feeling their growth accompanied by enterprises development. Also, this is the core of people-oriented principle. Banshan is a typical success case to demonstrate the importance of employees motivation. Generally speaking, the fundamental reason for enterprise to take incentive lies in correctly inducing the work motivation of employees, making them realize their own requirement while realizing the organization aim, increasing the degree of satisfaction, further keeping and carrying forward their enthusiasm & creativity, and finally achieving mutual success for individuals & enterprise(Zhou, 2006). This seems to be a benign chain reaction, which will promote enterprise into a bright future. If an enterprise can effectively apply the employees motivation mechanism, to let the staff sweat in happiness rather than be in tears at leisure, it will probably benefit from the mechanism in the long run. REFERENCEWang Hui, 2007, Harbin Daily, Eight incentives modelfor staff to be more dynamic, Retrieved March 8, 2009 from/show_result.aspxMotivation at work, Retrieved March 8, 2009 from /viewpaper/16945.htmlBusiness Study, 41Motivation at work, the satisfaction