Expectancy theory
Definition
Expectancy theory outlines that people behave a certain way with the expectations that the behavior gives rise to a specific desired outcome. It is dependent on three variables valence, instrumentality, and expectancy (cosmopolitians.eu, 2016). Motivation is vital to all fields as it acts as a driving force to foster the achievement of goals.
Summary
The common belief that performance management will enhance motivation has its basis on the expectancy theory proposed by Victor Vroom. According to the theory, expectancy is determined by an employee’s belief that acting a specific way is vital in helping them achieve the desired goals. The basis of the theory is on this belief valence, expectancy, and instrumentality. Expectancy attempts by a working individual that will result in the achievement of a performance target. Valence is the value placed on the reward of an outcome by an employee based on their goals, needs, values, and motivation. The perception of whether there will be a reward when the employee achieves their performance expectations is instrumentality. According to Lee (2019), these moderators influence the motivational effect of performance management; self-efficacy, autonomy, and procedural justice. The author of the article Hyung- Woo Lee, is a lecturer in Public Management at Hannam University. He is an accredited researcher who studies and expounds on the field of Human Resource Management (ResearchGate, 2002)
Discussion
Through the expectancy theory research shows that all public employees have different needs ranging from increased salaries to job security. However, the driving factor for most federal employees is serving the people. Therefore performance management may not increase the motivation of such workers. The employees do not have high regard for the rewards they might receive in a performance-based reward system (valence). The expectancy of the public worker also affects their performance. If the employee has high self-efficacy, they believe in their ability to perform their duties; therefore, performance management is not likely to change their motivation. Challenging or complex tasks increase creativity, which in turn improves motivation such employees are likely to be recognized and rewarded according to their performances (instrumentality).
Both articles use the expectancy theory to justify the relationship between motivation and performance management; additionally, the relationship between self-employment, entrepreneurship, and motivation. Sanchez & Sahuquillo (2017), outline that people are motivated to pick a particular behavior that will have a resulting positive outcome. The same applies to performance management, where employees believe that when they act a specific way, it leads to one attaining their set goals. There is a positive relationship between efforts and performance. In both articles, motivation is defined based on the beliefs of valence, expectancy, and instrumentality. The report by Lee (2019) is rooted in a performance-based reward system, while the article by Sanchez & Sahuquillo (2017) has its roots in the effort-performance outcome.
The articles, although supported by the expectancy theory, have limitations. The article by Lee (2019) says that one of the limiting factors of the research is that although the collection of data was from a diverse group of federal employees, there was no consideration for the relationship between performance management and agency level. Additionally, the collection of data was cross-sectional, which means that the data is open to interpretation by the author. While in the second article, the use of a rather small sample size limits the findings conducted by the research. A large and diverse sample is preferred to showcase accurate, irrefutable results. The research draws from the study of the entrepreneurial team, yet it is not the only concept influencing an entrepreneur’s motivation.
Biblical Integration
Vroom’s theory eludes its approach to motivation from the scriptures. The book of John 1:12 New International Version “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” Christians believe in a higher power, and this makes them behave or act in accordance to the holy books. The book of John serves to remind believers that for those who receive and accept God, they have a right to heaven and are his children. The reward of going to heaven to a place Christians believe is home motivates them to live adhering to the word of God. As human beings, motivation is essential when performing everyday activities. The belief that something great will come out, in the end, keeps employees and entrepreneurs going.
References
Cosmopolitan.eu. (2016). How does expectancy theory explain motivation? http://www.cosmopolitalians.eu/expectancy-theory-explain-motivation/.
Lee, H. (2019). Moderators of the motivational effects of performance management: A comprehensive exploration based on expectancy theory. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Moderators-of-the-Motivational-Effects-of-A-Based-Lee/de1bc0347902a5daadf1d660e64a08d7faf3e510.
Sanchez, V., Sahuquillo, C. (2017). Entrepreneurial motivation and self-employment: evidence from expectancy theory. https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/intemj/v13y2017i4d10.1007_s11365-017-0441-z.html.
Expectancy theory