Workplace and Employee Motivation

In recent years, the topic of workplace and employee indigence has emerged as a signifi trampt concern for both employers and wariness personnel. An synopsis of such strategies at a manoeuver Retail stock provides an framework of how such needal strategies affect the companys sales, profits, workplace morale, and future. iodine of the most important issues at a Target Retail Store is the successionly method and manner of placing and displaying the ware on the sales grace before the store actu every(prenominal)y opens to the public at 800 a. m. This must(prenominal) be effectively done with limited resources and staff.As a result, watchfulness must be able to appropriately and effectively motivate all staff employees and improve performance and employees resistance to increasing productivity. This paper exit examine the makeupal efforts of Target Retail Stores in this welkin, and identify and tumble two motifal theories not currently in practice by Target. It will al so apply the chosen motiveal theories to management and prove their impact and offer possible solutions that could draw been implemented before employee motif became an issue.In auberge to eliminate the time it normally took to neatly act merchandise on the sales floor, Target implemented a broadcast that would effectively eliminate unnecessary promotional strong (EDAs take reduction Update, 2005). The results of this was the elimination of approximately 1. 5 million pounds of waste, an estimated saved $4. 5 million through packaging reduction, and the carrying into action of a much efficient method of merchandise distri furtherion (EDAs Waste step-down Update, 2005).This led to an easier and more efficient merchandise placement in preparation for store start every morning. Before the weapons platforms implementation, Targets management team observed both the amount of waste from packaging and the time workers spent opening and unwrapping shipments (EDAs Waste Reduct ion Update, 2005). The team rig that a great deal of labor was expended tearing apart packaging from merchandise. For example, one typical clothing shipment contained 20 individually engrossed sweaters. The sweaters had to be unwrapped before they could be displayed in the store.The team lastly determined that an entire shipment of 20 sweaters could be safely shipped in just one outside wrapper (EDAs Waste Reduction Update, 2005). The total reduction in packaging for the Target merchandise resulted in an estimated $3 million savings to the vendor for the reduced packaging material used in shipments (EDAs Waste Reduction Update, 2005). To see whether the merchandise would arrive at the store in good condition, the Target team asked its vendors to test its packaging reduction idea.After several shipments of clothing arrived unfurrowed and presentable, the team decided to change Targets packaging specifications to the vendor (EDAs Waste Reduction Update, 2005). Targets current goal is to ship floor-ready apparel and minimize repletion packaging floor-ready means that the merchandise requires minimal preparation before being displayed on the sales floor (EDAs Waste Reduction Update, 2005). As a result of an easier and more effective process, employee motivation in this area has been boosted.Although this method has sum upd efficiency, there are other methods that can take over be implemented to increase employee motivation and productivity. One such conjecture of employee motivation is called motivation surmisal, which seeks to explain all kinds of motivated behavior in different situations, including behavior in organizations. Compensation administration is an application of motivation theory (Mitchell, 1992). Since the majority of behavior is sense motivated, individuals are greatly influenced by their environment.Thus, organizations can influence batchs behavior by ever-changing environments and returns. The best known theory of motivation in this ar ea is Maslows theory of human motivation, which nubbles on the theory of physiological needfully (Maslow, 1943). As related to the theory of human motivation all people have a need or desire for a stable, formally establish, advanced evaluation of themselves, for self respect, self esteem, and respect from others (Maslow, 1943). By firmly based self-esteem, Maslows theory was that which is based upon real capacity, achievement and respect from others.However, motivation is not the sole determinant of behavior. Ability and knowledge of what one is so-called to do combine with motivation in determining behavior in organizations. Also, an organizations tasks vary in their requirements. Thus motivation can make little or much difference in performance, depending on the task. Another related motivational theory that could be applied to the Target Retail Store scenario is what is termed satisfy theory. Content or arousal theories center on needs or drives. Several physiological and social needs have been identified and studied.A need for competence in know the environment is supposedly aroused when individuals are faced with new, challenging situations it dissipates afterward mastery (McLelland, 1976). Closely related are curiosity or activeness needs people need and enjoy a stimulating environment, but they differ on this need and become adapted to certain levels of stimulation. A need for office has been suggested as a requirement for success in organizations. Effective managers may have a high need for power (McLelland, 1976).One problem with predicting behavior from individual needs is that people take care to have differing degrees of needs at different times of their lives (Maslow, 1943). An evaluation of the motivation theories based on needs probably focus on their limitations. falsifiable studies have provided only modest support for them, and the proportion of the variance in performance explained has been low (McGregor, 1960). If Target was to follow Maslows theory of motivation, the organization could influence its employees behavior by changing environments and rewards.This means that a reward based type of program could be implemented that would encourage employees to enter as a result of the possibility to receiving a bonus or reward. Since motivation theory is based on the fact that all people have a need or desire for a stable, formally based, high evaluation of themselves, management could use evaluations and other encouraging measures to increase self esteem, and respect from others in the workplace, thus enhancing employee motivation.Following a content needs based approach, Target management could implement an incentive program based on needs or drives. The management team could orbit different physiological and social needs as related to guest service and retail and implement a program based on the results of their study. A content-based approach consisting of a contest could assist the employees in get th e hang any new, challenging situations that may arise in their workday.Since content theory is also based on the need for a stimulating environment, manoeuvre could conduct stimulating team meetings and outings that would be interesting and motivate the employees that way. Finally, research indicates that employee motivation is directly related to the success of any organization. In order to be effective, the management at Target would greatly benefit from the implementation of any of the programs and theories discussed above. This implementation would further enhance their continued success in the retail industry.