-- If you were Ron, where would you begin in creating a program to increase moti
ID: 397097 • Letter: #
Question
-- If you were Ron, where would you begin in creating a program to increase motivation at Lincoln?
-- Analyze the motivation problems at Lincoln Machine Works using Skinner’s behavior modification theory and Vroom’s expectancy theory.
When Ron took over as supervisor at Lincoln Machine Works, he had no idea what was facing him. He had inherited a group of workers who where producing at a capacity that he estimated was at least 50 percent below what was reasonable compared to the industry standard. Ron decided on a systematic interviewing procedure in which he would ask the same question each week of every employee he had. His questions included, “Do you feel your co-workers are working as effectively and as hard as they could?” and “Do you feel you are working up to your capabilities?”
Ron was surprised at the consistency of the answers. Nearly all the workers expressed the feeling that “nobody cares anyways, why should we work hard when nobody else cares?” Also, nearly all the workers believed that those around them didn’t work as hard as they easily could have. Fewer of those interviewed said such things about themselves, but all of them acknowledged that, wherever else could be said about their performance, they could be putting forth considerably more energy without wearing themselves out.
Ron was shaking his head in discouragement one morning when Tyler walked into his office. Tyler was the leader of a group in the planting department. “You want us to work harder?” Tyler asked. “Why don’t you try making what we do more important? I have a two-year degree in computer-assisted drafting and design. Yet what am I doing? Working at the same planting machine for almost the whole eight hours when I am here. Of course, not everybody down there has my background, but they all have the same kind of problem with this place that I have : they don’t think anybody appreciates their abilities – or even gives them any credit for having a brain cell or two.
“I really appreciate your being frank and open with me, Tyler,” Ron replied. “If what your saying is really the problem, it could explain a whole lot of things about this place.”
Ron spent the next two days asking the workers some new questions about how they felt their abilities were being used at Lincoln. He found Tyler’s message was accurate. Nearly every employee he spoke with expressed a frustration with being underutilized.
“Well,” Ron reflected on the way home from work, “I think I know what the problem is. My next step is to figure out how to start fixing it.”
Explanation / Answer
Ron must start his program with the group of workers from their leader Tyler . This is because Tyler came forward in a bold manner to express their problems and he can go to the workers and help us in motivating them in the same way. If Ron can succeed in motivating him, he is half way through his work.
According to Skinner's theory, as the management did not react and appreciate the efforts put in by the workers, they lost their interest in the work and hence stopped giving their best . This means the effect of management if having negative impact on the workers.
According to Vroom's theory , the workers came to a conclusion that no matter how they work hard , they do not get any recognition and hence it is unnecessary to put more efforts. Hence they are demotivated by their own assumptions.
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