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Motivation theory in a business · Part 2 of 3
15 exam-style questions with model answers, plus 25 quick multi-choice questions — every question on this part of the standard, grouped by the 5 pages of notes they come from.
Write a full answer before you reveal the model one. That comparison is where the learning happens.
Describe Maslow's hierarchy of needs and explain how a business could use it to motivate staff.
A business introduces an employee-of-the-month award, but staff turnover does not improve.
Using Maslow, fully explain why the award may not have worked.
Evaluate how useful Maslow's hierarchy is for explaining motivation in a business that employs a mix of permanent professional staff and seasonal workers.
Describe Taylor's theory of motivation and give one example of it in practice.
Fully explain why a business using Taylor's approach might still experience motivation problems.
A packhouse pays seasonal staff a piece rate and permanent staff a salary.
Justify, with TWO reasons, whether Taylor's approach is appropriate for this business.
Describe Mayo's theory of motivation and what his research found.
A business consults its staff before changing shift rosters, even though management has already decided the change is necessary.
Using Mayo, fully explain why this could still improve motivation.
A business restructures, breaking up long-standing work teams to place individuals where their skills are most needed.
Using Mayo, justify, with TWO reasons, whether this is likely to improve or damage performance.
Describe Herzberg's two-factor theory and give one example of each type of factor.
A business raises wages by 6% after a staff survey shows low motivation, but productivity does not change.
Using Herzberg, fully explain this result.
Evaluate the usefulness of Herzberg's two-factor theory for a business employing mostly minimum-wage retail staff.
Describe McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y, and explain how each affects a manager's style.
A business introduces a productivity bonus, but staff make no extra effort to earn it.
Using Vroom's expectancy theory, fully explain three possible reasons.
A supervisor of experienced staff manages according to Theory X assumptions.
Justify, with TWO reasons, whether the business should require the supervisor to adopt a Theory Y approach.