Definitions |
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Motivation
All definitions
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"Motivation" is an excellent example of an important term with multiple definitions. Pinder (2008), citing Kleinginna & Kleinginna (1981) notes that more than 140 definitions have been reported and categorized. While no single definition can defensibly considered "the" correct definition, many of them may be useful in organizations if relevant stakeholders understand and agree on which definition is being used in a particular context.
Jones ( 1955) ... "how behavior gets started, is energized, is sustained, is directed, is stopped, and what kind of subjective reaction is present in the organism while all this is going on." Latham (2007) Latham describes "motivation" from the perspective of Pritchard et al., (in press) as "the process that determines how energy is used to satisfy needs.... a cognitive resource allocation process where a person makes choices as to the time and energy that are to be allocated to an array of motives or tasks" (Latham, 2007, p. 175). Pinder (2008) "Work motivation" can be understood as "a set of energetic forces," originating "both within and beyond individual being to initiate work-related behaviors and to determine their form, direction, intensity and duration." (Pinder, 2008, p. 11). References Jones, M. R. (ed.) (1955). Nebraska Symposium on Motivation Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. Kleinginna, P.R., & Kleinginna, A.M. (1981). A categorized list of motivation definitions with a suggestion for a consensual definition. Motivation and Emotion, 263-292. Latham, G. (2007). Work Motivation: History, theory, research and practice. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi. Pinder, C. C. (2008). Work motivation in organizational behavior. Psychology Press: New York and Hove. Read a practice exam essay in response to the question:
"What are the problems with conceptualising and measuring work motivation?" Exam essay practice answer |
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