Theoretical Considerations

In considering psychological aspects of productivity, a major concern is how and why people are motivated to productive activity. This chapter will concern itself, therefore, with theoretical approaches to the question of motivation. As, however, the present book is intended to focus on empirical work on the psychological aspects of the productive process, only a brief account of the main theories of motivation will be considered. More detailed accounts can be had from, for example, Campbell and Pritchard (1976). Campbell and Pritchard have divided motivation theories into two; content and process theories. Content theories are concerned with what it is in the individual that sustains behaviour, in other words, what specific needs motivate people. Process theories, on the other hand, try to explain the process by which behaviour is sustained. This is done by giving an account of the way variables such as values, needs and expectations interact with what the job has to offer, to affect the individual’s willingness to work. Some of the theories are concerned with job satisfaction, on the assumption that individuals are motivated to work to the extent that productivity can be improved by satisfying certain of the individual’s needs, values or expectations.