PHR®/SPHR® Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Third Edition

2.6. Motivation Concepts

From the beginning of the industrial revolution, business owners have sought the key to improving productivity. This search prompted scientists to study the work environment, businesses, and the relationship of people to organizations. These studies led to many theories about work, some related to the physical environment or organization structures and others that looked at why people work and what motivates them. These traditional theories of motivation center either on the need for employees to be self-motivated or on the need for managers to motivate them. They provide a basis for understanding what drives employees to perform at peak levels of productivity, which can help managers understand the reasons for lowered ...