Victor Vrooms Expectancy Theory
Victor Vroom, a professor at Yale School of Management, studied motivation and has developed a theory he calls a Expectancy Theory. It is based upon a workers perceptions, set of beliefs and values about the organization, their job, and their rewards or outcomes for certain activities. It states that motivation is actually based upon three separate factors, which include expectancy, instrumentality, and valence.
Expectancy
Expectancy is the belief that ones efforts will actually lead to a successful outcome. This is a belief that forms based on an individuals past experiences and the training they have received. If a worker believes that their efforts will be rewarded, they are more likely to engage in behavior that is expected to lead to an outcome.
Instrumentality
Instrumentality is the belief that if a successful outcome is achieved, it will lead to a reward or benefit. This means that a worker must see a connection between their performance and the rewards they will receive. Without this connection, the worker may not be motivated to put forth extra effort in pursuit of a desired end.
Valence
Valence is the workers evaluation of the desirability of the rewards they will receive if they act in a desired manner. In other words, this is the workers perception of the value of the reward. If the worker believes that the reward is highly valuable, they are more likely to undertake activities that may lead to its receipt.
Application of Expectancy Theory
Expectancy theory has proven to be useful in helping organizations better understand the behavior of their workers and how to motivate them. This can be done by ensuring that expectations and rewards are clearly communicated and that they are perceived as valuable by the worker.
In addition, expectancy theory can be used to help designers create more effective rewards and incentive programs. By understanding the motivational factors that are at play when people are presented with certain rewards and outcomes, designers can create a program that is better-suited to the needs of their workers and one that is more likely to be successful in motivating them.
Conclusion
Victor Vrooms Expectancy Theory is a useful tool that can be used to help organizations better understand their workers and how to motivate them. This can be used to create rewards and incentive programs that are more effective and better-suited to the needs of the workers. By understanding the factors that drive behavior, Expectancy Theory helps organizations increase their chances of success in motivating their workers.
