Research proposal Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Research proposal - Dissertation Example A growing and more substantial body of research and studies provide evidence of conflict between intrinsic motivation (a person’s own motivation for undertaking a task) and extrinsic motivation (external and conditionally imposed motivation for undertaking a task) (Benabou & Tirole, 2003; Holmstrom & Milgrom, 1991; Kreps 1997). In response to the diverse range of motivational studies a number of motivational theories have emerged that endeavor to account for the various findings. Such theories include those that focus either on incentives, expectancies or goals, and those that seek explanation of how employees respond to different types of incentives provided. The objective of this study is to take an investigative approach to research the various motivational theories and how they are being implemented within the workplace. A study will then be undertaken in order to determineundertaking a study that will focus on employee perceptions of the motivational incentive systems ope rating within their company, and how they impact on their performance and effort. ... research literature in relation to motivational systems and theories used within the workplace, and has the potential to provide suggestions for future incentive systems that take both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors into account and foster best opportunities and maximum efficiency and effectiveness of personnel. Literature review Motivational theorists consider that for each and every thing we do (behavior and actions) there is a fundamental reason or cause. They also believe that appreciation of the causes will enable prediction and thus allow for influence on those behaviors or actions (Franken, 2002). Motivational research today focuses mainly on the determination of what spurs motivation - what stimulus is required to increase motivation - and takes both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation into consideration. Intrinsic motivation according to Oudeyer & Kaplon (2007) is best understood when contrasted with extrinsic motivation, which relates to any activity that is un dertaken because of some of kind of reward or discrete outcome. Intrinsic motivation by contrastive definition refers to activities that are undertaken solely for pleasure with no price or value imposed on it (Ryan & Deci, 2000). An important distinction however, is that intrinsic and extrinsic do not mean the same as internal and external and are not synonyms. Internal motivations receive internal rewards, whereas external motivation receives external rewards; intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation however is not determined by where the reward comes from but on the type of reward that is given (Oudeyer & Kaplon, 2007). The theory of incentives has traditionally assumed that concrete and/or intangible rewards such as money, power or investments (Hoy & Miskel, 1991) that are given