Question 1

You are a graduate teaching assistant in the biology department at Fairview University. You have several graduate student friends who have graduate appointments in the business department and the English department. While everyone's compensation and employee benefits are exactly the same, your department requires you to always show up and tutor students at least four hours each day and to serve on one university committee each semester. Graduates students at the other departments are not required by their management to follow these rules. Lately, you are doing your best to limit your daily obligation to 2½ to 3 hours each day. The motivational theory that most closely correlates with your actions is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are a graduate teaching assistant in...

Question 2

A key idea in reinforcement theory is that:

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory suggests that managers can use both rewards and punishment to influence employee behavior. By using positive reinforcement (rewards) and negative reinforcement (punishment), managers can encourage desired behavior and discourage undesired behavior. It is important for managers to use reinforcement techniques that are appropriate for each individual employee and situation.

Question 3

Brett manages a sales force that sells laboratory supplies to companies and university science labs. He wants to implement a reward program for high performance. Any rep whose territory bills over $500,000 in sales will win a trip for two to a Caribbean island. Last year the high billing territory made $400,000 in sales. As his outside consultant on the rewards program project, you suggest that he ask around to make certain that this is something the reps would enjoy. Your other advice is:

Accepted Answer

It is important to consider whether the sales reps believe that this reward is attainable. If they do not believe it is possible for them to reach the sales goal, they may not be motivated to try. It is also important to note that while monetary rewards can be motivators, they may not be the sole motivator for all individuals. Other factors, such as recognition and career advancement opportunities, may also play a role in motivating sales reps. The payout threshold should be set at a level that is challenging but attainable for high-performing reps. If several reps are over halfway to meeting the goal, increasing the threshold may be necessary to ensure that the reward is only given to top performers.

Question 4

Becca is a manager in the credit department for 3STAR Motors. Joe Greene is a new employee in her department. While Joe has been learning his job, Becca has provided him with guidance by offering advice, encouragement, and instructions. However, she is careful to let Joe do the actual work, even if he struggles a bit. Becca's approach to getting Joe up to speed indicates that she is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Becca is a manager in the credit...

Question 5

Which of the following problems would indicate that a manager failed to apply the basic concepts of expectancy theory?

Accepted Answer

The basic concept of expectancy theory is that employees will put forth effort based on their beliefs about the link between their performance and expected outcomes such as rewards. If employees feel that the rewards offered are not sufficient to justify the effort, they may not work towards achieving important goals. This indicates that the manager has failed to apply the basic concepts of expectancy theory. Choice A refers to lack of employee involvement in goal-setting, which is a separate issue. Choice B refers to perceived unfair treatment, which may relate to equity theory but is not directly related to expectancy theory. Choice D refers to feedback, which is related to performance management but not specifically tied to expectancy theory.

Question 6

Expectancy theory suggests that managers attempting to improve employee performance would be well advised to:

Accepted Answer

Expectancy theory suggests that employees will be motivated to perform better if they believe that their efforts will result in improved performance, and that this performance will be rewarded. Setting attainable performance goals is an important component of this, as it helps employees to see a clear path to achieving their goals and getting rewarded for their efforts. It also helps managers to provide guidance and support in helping employees to reach these goals. While maintaining consistent standards for all employees is important, it is not necessarily the most effective means of motivating them. Additionally, while financial rewards can certainly be motivating for some employees, they may not be sufficient on their own to elicit sustained high levels of performance. Finally, keeping salaries confidential is unlikely to have any impact on employee motivation or performance.

Question 7

Dane works as a sales representative for the Better Butter Company. He is about to meet with his manager to review his progress toward meeting the sales objectives they agreed to at the beginning of the year. Dane likes the fact that managers at Better Butter listen to their subordinates' ideas and get everyone involved in setting goals and objectives. Dane's experience suggests that Better Butter is utilizing:

Accepted Answer

The fact that managers at Better Butter involve their subordinates in setting goals and objectives suggests that they are using management by objectives (MBO), which is a participative goal-setting process where employees are involved in the creation of goals that align with organizational objectives. MBO is different from scientific management, which emphasizes efficiency and standardization in work processes. PERT is a project management tool used to analyze and plan the steps needed to complete a project, and programmed management involves the use of standardized procedures for routine tasks.

Question 8

Managers who advocate job enrichment focus on creating jobs with:

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment involves increasing the level of responsibility, autonomy, and skill variety in a job. This can be accomplished by giving workers more control over their work, allowing them to use their creativity, and providing opportunities for learning and development. This approach aims to motivate workers, increase job satisfaction and engagement, and ultimately improve organizational performance. Options A, B, and C focus on simplifying or narrowing the scope of a job, which is counter to the idea of job enrichment.

Question 9

As the marketing director for Chipper's Golf Resort, you are making plans for the annual golf tournament, and trying to decide on dollar prizes. After learning that in past years, you successfully raised in excess of $25,000 through registration fees and sponsorship, the general manager wants to make the top prize $10,000. His exact words were, "We can attract some great talent at that level!" At your morning meeting, you inquire: "Can we afford to announce a $10,000 prize at the expense of losing out on a portion of the registration fees if some of our past participants decide not to enter the tournament?" You explain to the general manager that if you set the prize too high, several better than average golfers in the area will find it to be "out of their league" and will be unmotivated to participate and spend the money. Your analysis of the situation is reasonable according to ____________.

Accepted Answer

The analysis of the situation, considering the potential effect of the prize level on participation and registration fees, is consistent with Expectancy Theory, which suggests that individuals are motivated to engage in behaviors that they believe will lead to desirable outcomes. In this case, the decision about the prize level influences participants' expectancies about the likelihood of winning and the value of the prize, which can in turn affect their motivation to register for the tournament.

Question 10

As a manager, Charlene works hard to ensure that employees are treated fairly, yet she still gets feedback that indicates that some employees don't believe she is fair. This problem most likely results from the fact that:

Accepted Answer

Equity judgments are subjective and based on an individual's perception of fairness. Charlene may be treating employees fairly, but if some employees perceive her actions differently, it can lead to feelings of unfair treatment. This is why it's important for managers to communicate clearly and openly with employees about their decision-making processes and to address concerns about fairness.

Question 11

One of the reasons management by objectives is an effective way to implement the ideas of goal-setting theory is that it:

Accepted Answer

Management by objectives (MBO) is a process whereby employees and managers jointly set goals for the employees to accomplish. This method of goal-setting involves everyone in the process and creates a sense of involvement and commitment to the goals. By setting the goals together, employees are more likely to understand the rationale behind the goals and feel invested in achieving them. MBO also helps managers to better communicate the goals and expectations that they have for their employees. Therefore, D is the correct answer.

Question 12

According to equity theory, which of the following statements is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Equity theory suggests that employees compare their own inputs (such as effort and skills) and outcomes (such as pay and recognition) to those of their coworkers, and that their perceptions of fairness will influence their motivation. Therefore, offering everyone the same reward may not be effective if employees feel some coworkers are not contributing as much as they are. Employees' ability to estimate their contributions accurately may vary, and the theory applies globally, not just in the US.

Question 13

Matt works for a sports marketing firm. He feels that he has been treated unfairly by the organization. He helped three other employees organize a series of successful street hockey tournaments in different regions of the country. While the other employees were given a bonus and corporate recognition, his efforts were ignored. According to equity theory, Matt is likely to respond by:

Accepted Answer

According to equity theory, when an employee perceives inequity in their rewards compared to others, they are likely to reduce their effort on future projects. This is because they feel that their efforts are not being fairly recognized and rewarded, leading to a feeling of demotivation and decreased motivation to perform at a high level. Ignoring the perceived inequity or threatening the boss are not healthy or effective responses, while reaching the conclusion that his treatment is not related to the treatment of others does not address the issue of unfair treatment. Thus, reducing his efforts on future projects is the most likely response based on equity theory.

Question 14

Paul Blocker is the offensive line coach for a university football team. He wants his players to report to fall practice in good shape. Coach has set challenging fitness standards that the linemen should have no problem achieving if they work hard during the summer. He knows his players hate running wind sprints so to encourage them to work out during the summer he announced that any player who passes the fitness test at the beginning of fall practice will be allowed to skip sprints for the first two weeks of practice. Coach Blocker's approach to motivation is consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Coach Blocker's approach is consistent with expectancy theory, which suggests that individuals are motivated by the belief that their effort will lead to a desired performance outcome. By offering a reward (skipping sprints) for achieving the fitness standards, Coach Blocker is creating a clear link between effort and outcome, and providing motivation for his players to work hard during the summer.

Question 15

Which of the following statements would a proponent of management by objectives likely make?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements would a...

Question 16

The best remedy for staving off perceptions of inequity is:

Accepted Answer

Keeping pay rates secret and reminding employees that they should be grateful for their jobs are not effective ways to address perceptions of inequity. Hiring one person fewer than needed may result in overworked employees, leading to further perceptions of inequity. Frequent and open communication among all employees and managers allows for transparency and fairness in decision-making, which can help address perceptions of inequity.

Question 17

Which of the following is the best example of extinction as the term is used in reinforcement theory?

Accepted Answer

Extinction in reinforcement theory refers to the discontinuation of the delivery of a previously reinforcing consequence following a behavior. In this case, choice D is the best example of extinction because the manager is not providing any specific actions or consequences for the employee's undesirable behavior. The lack of reinforcement (whether it be positive or negative) for the behavior may lead to it eventually ceasing altogether.

Question 18

Lynn is in charge of a nursing shift at a hospital. She wants to improve the motivation and performance level of the nurses under her direction. According to expectancy theory, one element of an effective motivational strategy is to:

Accepted Answer

According to expectancy theory, motivation is maximized when individuals perceive that their effort will lead to high performance and that high performance will lead to rewards that they value. Therefore, Lynn should determine what types of rewards are valued by the nurses and use them as incentives to improve their motivation and performance level. By doing so, the nurses will perceive that their efforts will lead to high performance, which will lead to the rewards they desire, increasing their motivation to work harder.

Question 19

Which of the following would be most closely tied to the idea that employee motivation requires that the rewards for completing a task are sufficient to justify the effort?

Accepted Answer

Expectancy theory states that employees will be motivated to put in effort if they believe that their effort will lead to good performance, and good performance will lead to rewards that they value. In other words, employees must believe that the rewards for completing a task are sufficient to justify the effort.

Question 20

Herzberg's research indicated that employees are motivated by job content. Contemporary managers focus on _____________ by increasing the significance of the job, and even providing the employee with important feedback.

Accepted Answer

Herzberg's research indicated that employees are motivated by job content, and managers can increase job significance and provide important feedback by enriching the job. This is done by enhancing the employee's role in decision-making, increasing their responsibilities and accountability, providing opportunities for growth and development, and offering regular feedback and recognition. Rotation of the job, simplifying the job, and reducing responsibilities in the job may not necessarily lead to increased motivation and job satisfaction for employees.

Quiz 10: Motivating Employees