Motivation Assignment
30 points Due Nov. 10 (Tuesday) Given the following scenario, use four theories of motivation discussed in your text (Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, expectancy (or VIE) theory, equity theory, and goalsetting theory) to address the situation described below. Using these four theories, I would like you to (1) briefly describe each theory, (2) discuss why Bob might be unmotivated according to each theory, and (3) suggest how each theory might be applied to improve the motivation of Bob (make sure that you clearly state how your recommendations relate to the theory).
What About Bob? Bob Blakeslee is an attorney for the law firm of Lye, Cheet, and Steel. He’s been employed with the firm for the past 10 years. When he started working there, he set a goal to become a senior partner before his 40th birthday. Last month he found out he’s not going to accomplish his goal. The firm decided to promote Roberta James instead. The chances of another senior partner position opening up within the next 5 years are very slim. Bob and Roberta started working at Lye, Cheet, and Steel at about the same time. Both Bob and Roberta graduated from the same law school, and had comparable academic accomplishments. Bob was told in his interview that promotion to senior partner would be based strictly upon how much revenue he could generate. Bob worked extremely hard to maintain a high number of billable hours per week. Bob would work 70 to 75 hours per week to maintain 50 to 55 billable hours per week (note: billable hours refer to time which a law firm can charge their clients). The firm charges clients $200 per hour for Bob’s time. Roberta also desired senior partnership. She also put in comparable hours per week. Bob took the news of Roberta’s promotion pretty hard. Since the announcement of Roberta’s promotion, Bob has been late to work 3 times. He’s left work early on numerous occasions. His billable hours have averaged only 31 per week over the last month. To top it all off, one of Bob’s new clients took his business elsewhere because he did not appreciate Bob’s poor attitude. The loss of this client was estimated to cost the company $100,000 per year. These recent developments in Bob’s performance have not gone unnoticed. Brandon Cheet, one of the firm’s senior partners, called Bob into his office to discuss these undesirable trends. Brandon: “Bob, we noticed your performance has slipped quite a bit over the last few weeks. Is anything wrong?” “I’m disgusted with my job. I can’t believe I didn’t get promoted.” “Bob, the firm has always been very impressed with you. We think of you as a valuable asset to our company. The choice between you and Roberta was very difficult. It was virtually a tie.” “I have nothing against Roberta. She’s a great lawyer. But I figure what’s the point of killing myself. I work as hard as Roberta, but now she has the corner office, the company car, her name on the door, and the title. Why should I care anymore? It’s probably going to be 10 more years before anyone else gets promoted.” “I’m sorry to hear you feel this way. The people here like you quite a bit.” “I know they do. I have a lot of friends here. I really feel like I belong
Bob: Brandon:
Bob:
Brandon: Bob:
here, but I need more than that. The promotion would have meant respect. Plus it would have given me the opportunity for more challenging cases. I felt like the promotion was the ticket I needed to really become one of the best lawyers around.” Brandon: “I’m sorry you didn’t get the promotion, but I believe we made the right decision. The partners still value you very much, but if you don’t get out of this funk you’re in, you are going to force us to make another decision. So, please snap out of it before something drastic has to happen.” “Sure.”
Bob:
Bob left Brandon’s office. On his way back to his office, a coworker stopped him and asked how the meeting went with Brandon. Bob replied, “It was a complete waste.” Bob went home early that day.
Guidelines and Grading Criteria: The paper should be approximately 3-6 pages long (double-spaced). Make sure your paper contains the following: • • • Clear explanation of each of the theories (in your own words, please) Clear discussion of why Bob may be unmotivated from the perspective of each theory Clear application of each of the theories (i.e., suggestions for ways to motivate Bob based on each theory)