VROOM’S EXPECTANCY THEORY OF MOTIVATION

Isha Joshi - MIB

INTRODUCTIONThe expectancy theory was proposed by Victor Vroom of Yale School of Management in 1964. Vroom stresses and focuses on outcomes, and not on needs unlike Maslow and Herzberg.

Expectancy theory is, “A person will be motivated to put forth a higher level of effort if they believe their efforts will result in higher performance and thus, better rewards.”

Isha Joshi - MIB

ELEMENTS OF EXPECTANCY THEORY

EXPECTANCY

INSTRUMENTALITY VALENCE

Isha Joshi - MIB

1)Expectancy – the level of effort an employee is willing to exert in hopes that the increased effort will result in better performance.

2)Instrumentality – the belief that if you perform well, then a valued outcome will be received.

3)Valence – the importance that the individual places upon the expected outcome.

Isha Joshi - MIB

MOTIVATIONAL FORCE (MF) = EXPECTANCY X INSTRUMENTALITY X VALENCE

When deciding among behavioural options, individuals select the option with the greatest amount of motivational force (MF).

Examples of valued outcomes in the workplace include, pay increases and bonuses, promotions, time off, new assignments, recognition, etc.

If management can effectively determine what their employee values, this will allow the manager to motivate employees in order to get the highest result and effectiveness out of the workplace.

Isha Joshi - MIB

Isha Joshi - MIB

EXAMPLE – SITUATION 1Mr. X (manager) gave employee I some projects to complete. She did the work properly and completed it on time.Result – Employee I is very happy because her boss acknowledged her hard work. The more projects she gets, the more rewards she will receive.

Isha Joshi - MIB

EXAMPLE – SITUATION 1Mr. X (manager) gives employee I some projects to complete and instead of completing them, she keeps gossiping and doesn’t complete her work. Mr. X gets very disappointed and tells her that if she continues this behaviour, he will not let her handle any more projects.Result – She is very sad with her performance and worried that she might never gain her boss’s trust again.

Isha Joshi - MIB

Based on these two situations, we can conclude that employees who have

high effort in doing their job will be rewarded and acknowledged by the

employer.