2.4 Motivation and Demotivation

Being able to make a difference to others in society is an example of which of the following options?

•   Extrinsic motivation

•   Herzberg’s motivators

•   Non-financial motivation

•   Maslow’s self-actualisation

Answer explanation

Being able to make a difference to others is not directly linked to financial rewards, so it is intrinsic motivation rather than extrinsic motivation.

Which motivation theorist said that employees are principally motivated by money?

•   F.W. Taylor

•   A. Maslow

•   J.S. Adams

•   J.S. Adams

Which of the following indicates a high degree of staff motivation?

•   High staff turnover rate

•   High wastage

•   High absenteeism

•   High sales turnover

Answer explanation

A high degree of staff motivation results in improved productivity, thus resulting in higher sales revenue.

Which motivational theorist wrote about fairness as a form of motivation?

•   J.S. Adams

•   A. Maslow

•   F. Herzberg

•   F.W. Taylor

Answer explanation

J.S. Adams wrote about equity in the workplace being important for motivation. People are motivated if they perceive their input (effort) being commensurate of the output (their remuneration package).

What did A. Maslow call the needs that are essential for human survival?

•   Social needs

•   Physiological needs

•   Security needs

•   Esteem needs

Which motivation theorist believed that workers could be managed in a scientific way by using differentiated piece rate?

•   A. Maslow

•   F. Herzberg

•   J.S. Adams

•   F.W. Taylor

Which of the following is an example of inequity in the workplace?

•   Supervisors being paid more than their subordinates

•   Wage differentials between men and women in the same job roles

•   Highly productive workers being rewarded bonuses

•   Profit-related pay for staff

Answer explanation

Paying men more than women for doing the same job roles because they are women is unethical, inefficient and unequitable.

Which of the following is least likely to be a consequence of high absenteeism?

•   Lower levels of motivation

•   Increased workload for staff at work

•   Increased costs for the business

•   Lower labour productivity

Answer explanation

A fall in the level of motivation is likely to be a cause of high absenteeism, rather than a consequence of it.

In Herzberg’s theory, giving workers a wide range of challenging tasks and encouraging them to take part in decision-making are examples of what?

•   Job enlargement

•   Job rotation

•   Job enrichment

•   Job production

Which motivation theorist said that employees are principally motivated by money?

•   A. Maslow

•   F. Herzberg

•   J.S. Adams

•   F.W. Taylor