Motivation: Definition and additional resources from BNET
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BNET Business Dictionary

Business Definition for: Motivation

  • the creation of stimuli, incentives, and working environments which enable people to perform to the best of their ability in pursuit of organizational success. Motivation is commonly viewed as the magic driver that enables managers to get others to achieve their targets. In the 20th century, there was a shift, at least in theory, away from motivation by dictation and discipline, exemplified by Frederick Winslow Taylor's scientific management, toward motivation by creating an appropriate corporate climate and addressing the needs of individual employees. Although it is widely agreed to be one of the key management tasks, it has frequently been argued that one person cannot motivate others but can only create conditions for others to self-motivate. Many management theorists have provided insights into motivation. Elton Mayo's Hawthorne experiments identify some root causes of self-motivation, and Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs provides insight into personal behavior patterns. Other influential research has been conducted by Frederick Herzberg, who looked at job satisfaction, and Douglas McGregor whose Theory X and Theory Y suggest management styles that motivate and demotivate employees.
  • a formal written proposal

Wiktionary Definition for: Motivation

  • Willingness of action esp. in behavior
  • The action of motivate motivating.
  • Something which motivates.
  • A reason for doing something.
  • #(Advertising) a research rating that measures how both the rational and emotional elements of a commercial affect consumer intention to consider, visit, or buy something.
  • Ex:''The '''motivation''' scores showed that 65% of people wanted to visit our website to learn more about the offer after watching the commercial.''

Additional Resources

Motivation Strategy for Achieving a High Performance Organization
The article emphasises that motivation is an organization's life-blood; yet "motivation," as a business subject, is largely ignored. Even when not ignored, it certainly is not a focal point for strategic thinking.Four reasons explain this fact of life: Motivation is intangible, Motivation drives all human action, It is the energy...
Tags: Management, Leadership, High-performance, Motivation, Article
White papers 2002-01-01
Motivation
Employee motivation is the psychological feature that arouses an employee to behave in a certain manner for accomplishing certain organizational goals. It is imperative for the organization to enhance motivation level of the employees in order to bring out the best in them. Effecting suitable modifications in the job design...
Tags: Employee Motivation, Leadership, Management, West Virginia University, Motivation
Presentations 2003-01-01
Motivation Secrets
Motivation is one of those topics about which much is preached with little result. The reason is simple: Leaders do not motivate-not directly, anyway. They do it indirectly. Motivation is an intrinsic response; it comes from inside and cannot be imposed from the outside. Motivation comes from wanting to do...
Tags: Motivation, Leadership, Management
White papers
Motivate Yourself to Success
"Motivation is direction or focus toward a goal or mission that is fueled by energy and enthusiasm. Motivation is like the motor in a car. This article says that true motivation comes when your own internal motor is driving you toward your goals, not when you are coasting...
Tags: Motivation, Self-motivation, Leadership, Management
White papers 2003-01-01
Motivation - The Reason for the Crisis
Surveys show there's a huge crisis of motivation in most large corporations, which is why they continue to spend billions of dollars each year on motivation courses, training in motivation, meetings to boost motivation, incentives to strengthen motivation, meetings to analyze problems in workforce motivation, tools to measure motivation, mission...
Tags: Motivation, Management Theory, Leadership, Management
White papers 2003-01-01
Motivation
Motivation is the psychological feature that arouses an individual to behave in a certain manner for accomplishing certain pre-defined goals. Individuals need high motivation level to excel in their work. High motivation level facilitates in achievement of desired results. The paper examines the dynamics of motivation and discusses various motivational...
Tags: Motivation, Leadership, Management
Presentations 2004-03-01
Work Motivation
Motivation consists of a set of psychological processes that arouse and provide direction to goal-directed human behavior. A high employee motivation level at the workplace enables the employees to do their best at the job. The sources of employee motivation include setting up of challenging goals and an effective reward...
Tags: Employee Motivation, Motivation, Leadership, Management
Presentations 2003-01-01
Misconceptions About Motivation
Motivation is the psychological feature that arouses an individual to behave in a certain manner for accomplishing certain pre-defined goals. Individuals need high motivation level to excel in their work. Motivation plays an important role in the goal setting process. There are, however, some misconceptions prevalent about motivation. The paper...
Tags: Management, Leadership, Motivation, Misconception
Presentations 2003-01-01
Motivation
Motivation refers to the stimulus that propels the behavior of an individual towards accomplishment of certain pre-defined goals. The performance of the individual is directly linked to the level of motivation that the individual has. It is imperative for the organization to enhance motivation level of the employees in order...
Tags: Motivation, Leadership, Management
Presentations 2003-01-01
Motivation
This presentation explains the motivation is the willingness to expend effort, however, it does not equal performance. Presentation includes the content theories of motivation that entails the ‘WHAT’ factor of motivation and process theories of motivation, which involves the ‘HOW’, factor. It also contains framework of expectancy theory and equity...
Tags: Theory, Motivation, Presentation, Leadership, Management
Presentations 2003-01-01
Motivation And Reward System Management
Motivation is the psychological feature that arouses an individual to behave in a certain manner for accomplishing certain pre-defined goals. Individuals need high motivation level to excel in their work. In an organization, it is imperative to maintain a high motivation level in the employees to enable them to bring...
Tags: Motivation, Leadership, Management
Presentations 2003-01-01
Motivation In Organizations
Motivation is the psychological feature that arouses an individual to behave in a certain manner for accomplishing certain pre-defined goals. In an organization, it is imperative to maintain a high motivation level in the employees to enable them to bring out their best at the job. This helps in enhancing...
Tags: Management, Leadership, University At Buffalo, Motivation
Presentations 2003-01-01
Motivation
Motivation consists of a set of psychological processes that arouse and provide direction to goal-directed human behavior. A high employee motivation level at the workplace enables the employees to do their best at the job. This increases the organizational productivity. The paper examines motivation and its effects on job design....
Tags: University Of Michigan, Motivation, Leadership, Recruitment & Selection, Management, Human Resources, Workforce Management
Presentations 2003-01-01
Time Management and Motivation
Time management is essential for having a successful life, however if there is lack of motivation, time management can be a struggle. Motivation keys into time management since when a person is lacking motivation he is probably not keeping important documents filed, or meeting time plans that are required of...
Tags: Leadership, Productivity, Management, Time Management, EzineArticles.com, Motivation
White papers 2006-03-13
Motivation And Its Implication
Motivation is defined as willingness to exert high levels of effort to reach organizational goals. There are mainly two types of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. The presentation discusses the factors forcing these types of motives. In addition, there are several theories of motivation, which play a very crucial role...
Tags: Theory, Western Illinois University, Motivation, Presentation, Leadership, Management
Presentations 2003-01-01
How To Imbibe Motivation For Effective Time Management
In order to led a successful life, Time management is essential, however if there is lack of motivation, time management can be a great effort. Motivation keys into time management because when a person is lacking motivation they probably are not keeping their vital documents filed, or meeting time plans...
Tags: Motivation, Self Help Zone, Time Management, Leadership, Productivity, Management
White papers 2007-12-01
Big Dog's Leadership Page - Motivation
A person's motivation is a combination of desire and energy directed at achieving a goal. Influencing someone's motivation means getting him or her to want to do what one knows must be done. A person's motivation depends upon two things: the strength of certain needs and the perception that taking...
Tags: Motivation, Person, Leadership, Management
White papers 2003-01-01
Motivation And Emotion
Motivation is the psychological feature that arouses the behavior of an individual towards accomplishment of certain pre-defined goals. Emotion is physiological response to external stimulus. It is a subjective feeling. Motivation and emotion are internal processes that guide, activate, and sustain human behavior. The paper examines motivation and emotion and...
Tags: Leadership, Emotion, Management, Motivation
Presentations 2003-01-01
Maslow’s Need Hierarchy
Employee motivation is the psychological feature that arouses an employee to behave in a certain manner for accomplishing certain organizational goals. The organization constantly looks at ways and means to enhance motivation level of the employees. The sources of employee motivation include setting up of challenging goals and an effective...
Tags: Management, Employee Motivation, Maslow, Leadership, Motivation
Presentations 2003-01-01
Leading Through Motivation
Leading is the art of influencing the work behavior of others in the organization towards smooth functioning of organizational systems and processes. A leader motivates the subordinates to excel in their work. Employee motivation is the psychological feature that arouses an employee to behave in a certain manner for accomplishing...
Tags: University Of Houston, Leader, Motivation, Employee Motivation, Leadership, Management
Presentations 2003-01-01
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