ORGANIZATIONAL MOTIVATION

Motivation is one of the main factors that determine employees´ work performance. It covers all the reasons for which a person chooses to act in a certain way. Motivation are “Internal and external factors that stimulate Desire and energy in people to be continually interested in and committed to a job, role, or subject, and to exert persistent effort in attaining a goal”. (Business Dictionary, 2010)

Early economic theories of motivation emphasized extrinsic incentives as the basis for motivation.

There are three kinds of Motivation Theories:

Internal theories consider variables within the individual. For example, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory of motivation, which was the basis for Mc Gregor’s Theory X and Theory Y assumptions about people at work.

The process theories emphasize the nature of the interaction between the individual and the environment. For example, The Expectancy theory, which says that effort, is the basis for motivation for leading performance and rewards.

"Motivation." Web. 8 Mar. 2011. <http://cache2.allpostersimages.com/p/LRG/16/1602/UD2FD00Z/posters/motivation.jpg>.

The External theories are focused on the elements in the environment. For example, the two-factor theory explains that the presence of motivation leads to job satisfaction, and the presence of hygiene factors prevented it.

According to McClelland, the needs for achievement, power, and affiliation are learned needs that differ among diverse cultures, and Social exchange theory holds that, people form calculated working relationships and expect fair, equitable, ethical treatment.

In conclusion, theories that explain motivation are culturally bound, and the drivers in order to motivate may change among nations.

IN MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT WHAT COULD BE A GOOD STRATEGY TO KEEP PEOPLE MOTIVATED TOWARDS A COMMON TASK?

According to the European employee index model, the employee’s motivation, their job satisfaction and sense of loyalty, is the result of a large number of factors directly related to the employee’s perception of job and the work environment. These factors are in seven dimensions, in which the company and the individual manager can pull in order to improve motivation. The drivers are: reputation, senior Management, immediate superior, co-operation, daily work, total remuneration and development.

The last study conducted in 2008, shows no change in two countries that have the highest motivation and satisfaction: Denmark and India. 

For every country, a different driver was found to be the most important, definitely influenced by its cultural features. Senior Management is especially important for employees in Ireland, the US and Japan. 

Immediate superior is important in the UK and Japan, while cooperation means a lot for the employees in Netherlands. In check republic and Russia remuneration plays the most important role. No matter the country, the development of human resources and the daily activity are very important factors for increasing employee’s satisfaction. 

"YouTube - Wal-Mart Cheer." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiBC4ox9GeY&feature=related>.

For example, WAL-MART has a motivational cheer that the employees do daily. “Don't be surprised if you hear our associates shouting this enthusiastically at your local Walmart store. We take it seriously — it's one way we show pride in our company and how much we value our customers.

Our founder Sam Walton wrote the cheer: He saw workers at a Korean tennis ball factory join together each morning for a company cheer and calisthenics. He liked the idea so much that he couldn't wait to get back home and try it at Walmart.

Mr. Sam believed work can be fun: As he once said, “Just because we work hard, we don't have to go around with long faces. It's sort of a 'whistle while you work' philosophy and we work better because of it."

It’s a worldwide thing: As our company has grown and changed over the years, so has our cheer. Today, you’ll hear the Walmart cheer proudly being delivered by associates around the world with different words, and in many different languages.” (WAL-MART CORP)

Bibliography

•   "Walmartstores.com: Walmart Cheer." Walmartstores.com. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. <http://walmartstores.com/aboutus/320.aspx>
• "YouTube - Wal-Mart Cheer." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiBC4ox9GeY&feature=related>.
• Nelson, Debra L. and Quick, James Campbell. 2010. OrganisationalBehavior Science, the Real World, and You.  South-Western CengageLearning, Mason,USA. Chapter5.
• Viorel, Lefter, ManolescuAurel, Marinas CristianVirgil, and PuiaRamonaStefania. 2009. "Employees Motivation Theories Developed at an International Level”. Annals of the University of Oradea, Economic Science Series18, no. 4:324-328
• Business Dictionary (2010). Definition of motivation. Retrieved on January the5th2011 from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/motivation.html                                        
• "Motivation." Web. 8 Mar. 2011. <http://cache2.allpostersimages.com/p/LRG/16/1602/UD2FD00Z/posters/motivation.jpg>.