Value-Based Motivation

 Value-Based Motivation

In the article, Value-Based Motivation, it states that employees value different rewards as motivation factors and how it will affect employees performance with their current jobs.  I for one can agree with this because different rewards would motivate me differently depending on what the reward is, such as a bonus versus a free dinner at a particular restaurant.  Rewards have to be highly valued by employees in order for them to be successful motivating factors.  In recessions, the article states that job security and financial rewards seem to be high motivating factors due to people working for less income and the job market being rough.  I would work harder especially just to keep my job in order for me to "survive" because chances are it would take awhile for me to find another job unless I was one of the best employees where other companies would almost definitely want to hire me right away.  I like the fact how the article states that stock incentive plans are a good idea for motivation in recessions because stocks are generally lower and employee can buy them at a discounted market value price.  This in turn can make employees more committed to their organization and work harder in order for the stock price to increase in the long run which gives the employee more money than what they bought it for.  Job security can be a high motivating factor for employees if there is a correct policy in place based on their performance.  Employees will not want to lose their jobs so this in turn makes them want to be the best employee so they do not get laid off by the organization.  These two factors are value-based motivation because it depends on the particular employee and how they envision the rewards.  Some employees will not care about job security if they know that they can get a job at another organization right away so this will not motivate them to work harder.  Rewards still seem to be a high motivating factor for most employees because of the recognition of performing well by their company.  Overall, employee values truly depend on what is a reward and what is not depending on what they actually have to do and the actual "value" of the reward to the employee that is offered.

Have you ever been offered rewards or incentives at a job?  If so, did you view that particular reward as "valuable" to perform better?  If not, do feel that different rewards motivate different individuals based the particular "value" of the reward?

-David Harbeck