PREPNOTES

   Some of the most important theories of motivation are as follows: 1. Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory 2. Herzberg’s Motivation Hygiene Theory 3. McClelland’s Need Theory 4. McGregor’s Participation Theory 5. Urwick’s Theory Z 6. Argyris’s Theory 7. Vroom’s Expectancy Theory 8. Porter and Lawler’s Expectancy Theory. From the very beginning, when the human organisations were established, various thinkers have tried to find out the answer to what motivates people to work. Different approaches applied by them have resulted in a number of theories concerning motivation. These are discussed in brief in that order. 1. Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory: It is probably safe to say that the most well-known theory of motivation is Maslow’s need hierarchy theory Maslow’s theory is based on the human needs. Drawing chiefly on his clinical experience, he classified all human needs into a hierarchical manner from the lower to the higher order. In essence, he believed that once a...

   The Contingency theory of leadership postulates that the success or failure of a leadership style is dependent on the match between the situation, workers, and the leader. When the specific characteristics of the leader are well-suited to the task and personnel, success is likely.However, if there is a mismatch between these components, failure is probable. Leadership is a complex endeavor that involves a dynamic interaction among numerous variables that are in a continuous state of movement. For example, a transformational leader that is great at motivating others in the beginning may be unskilled at formulating a detailed strategy and keeping everyone on track later on. Examples of Contingency Theory Leadership 1. Fiedler’s Contingency Theory Fred E. Fiedler was a pioneer in leadership theory. His version of contingency theory of leadership states that there are essentially two kinds of leaders: task-oriented or people-oriented` The ability of a leader to accomp...