motive dispositions theoryequity theoryexpectancy theoryreinforcement theorygoal setting theoryoptional group component B u s i n e s s F i n a n c e

Using the motivation theories, explain either your best, or your worst workplace experience in terms of motivation. Go in detail and provide information on your boss, work, context, environment etc. that affected your motivation. How and why did the situation lead you to perform at your best? Alternatively, how and why did you chose to not be performing according to expectations?

If you have little or no prior work experience, or don’t feel comfortable sharing, please watch the movie “Office Space” (http:// class=”screenreader-only”> (Links to an external site.)) and analyze the situation Peter Gibbons and his colleagues are experiencing (you may choose either character, however, I recommend you address Peter Gibbon’s situation). If you chose to analyze the movie, your analysis has to go beyond the two short videos posted on the course website. Using the theories discussed, explain why he is motivated, or not so motivated, to perform highly.

Theory 1:

Theory 2:

Theory 3:

Theory 4:

Theory 5:

As a reminder, the eight motivation theories discussed in the book and in class were:

1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
2. Alderfer’s ERG Theory
3. Herzberg’s Two-factor Theory
4. McClelland’s Motive Dispositions Theory
5. Equity Theory
6. Expectancy Theory
7. Reinforcement Theory
8. Goal Setting Theory

Optional group component: You may complete the assignment individually or in groups of up to six (6) people. Any group larger than that will need special permission. If you chose to work in a team you are responsible of finding your own group and there will be one, and one group grade only. Importantly, if you chose to work in a group the cover page has to contain every participant’s complete name AND there cannot be more than one submission per team (see Turnitin requirements). Therefore, if you are working in a team you have to be clear as to who is making the submission.

Length & Structure: Your assignment should meet a minimum of five (5) pages in length for the “pure” content. This excludes the cover page, reference section, etc. In total, your report shall not exceed ten pages, including cover page, references etc. Structuring elements, such as headlines and sub-headers, structuring paragraphs and introduction as well as closing statements are highly recommended.

Spoiler alert: Introductions and summary statements or “key takeaways” are always welcome IF they help or enhance the structure and clarity of the essay. Assume that you are writing the essay or project report for your boss at work. Anything that he or she would not want to read, we are not going to want to read either. IF your report is not formatted properly, the boss will want to place it back on your desk, and you may need to re-submit it next semester.

Formatting: Formatting is important. ALL Assignments need to be formatted in Times New Roman font size 12; 1.5 or double-spaced; And contain structural elements, such as: Headlines, sections and subsections; Paragraphs.

Note that points will be subtracted, if: *you are using improper font size or spacing; *your essay is not making proper use of structural elements; *headlines; *space dividers: *sections and paragraphs; *with this said, be reminded that “a page is a page and not a paragraph” and “a sentence is a sentence and not a paragraph”. Imagine the formatting as the dress code or formal attire you need to wear when you enter the office. This is how we “see” it.

Grading: This assignment will be graded 70% on your ability to correctly apply motivation theories and 30 % on grammar and spelling. It is important that you APPLY five different theories. If you analyze the same theory five times you will receive full points. If you solely describe the situation and there is no application of theory, requirements are not met. If there is a summary of theories without the application, requirements are also not net.

If you choose your own work experience, you may analyze the same or different work situations/jobs. However, there still need to be the same number of DIFFERENT theories applied to your situation, and you need to stay within the page limit.

It is important that you carefully edit your answers before turning them in. This may be even more important if you are not a native speaker. Grammar proofreading is highly recommended even if you are a native speaker.

File Format: You are required to upload your assignment in the form of a WORD or PDF document. If your document uses a different file format it will not be read and graded you will receive ZERO points. All assignments will undergo plagiarism check using “Turnitin”. If your assignment is scoring “red” you will receive zero (0) points; If your assignment scores “orange” there will be a 50% point deductions; There is going to be a zero tolerance for late submissions.