Organizational Scenario

Organizational Scenario

Organizational psychology (2011), according to Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia, is the scientific study of employees, workplaces, and organizations. Organizational psychologists contribute to an organization's success by improving the performance and well-being of its people. An organizational psychologist researches and identifies how behaviors and attitudes can be improved through hiring practices, training programs, and feedback systems. Organizational psychology can also be viewed as the equivalent of the economics concept of human capital. Having an n organizational psychologist is almost necessary in all organizations if their lucky to keep the organization running efficiently and smoothly. The following will describe the situation an organization is facing and summarize the organizational psychology concepts addressed.

The Situation

Victory Shoe Factory board wants their organization to be evaluated to determine the reasons for losses in there money and production. Their shoe production is at its lowest point in the past quarter and the amount of waste which consists of unused or faulty material has doubled also. The day the team went to evaluate the factory superintendent one of the floor managers had an ice bag over his nose. When inquired about the injury is was found out that the Quality Control officer had gotten upset with the floor manager and they got in a little fight. The superintendent claims it happens now and then but it's ok because they are old high school friends. Through several weeks of the assessment the team noticed many things within the factory. First of all, the factory managers that are located on the top floor were abrasive and condescending to the people on the floor. Which the team noticed an "us versus them" attitude. Along with that they noticed a lack of communication and the only communication being done was on a bulletin board. Another issue they noticed was that the floor workers were purposefully damaging some of the good material while listening to music with headphones while on the job which violates safety policies. To try and solve this problem the managers were sneaking up to catch the floor workers in the act, however, the floor workers had spies themselves to watch out for the managers. If notified, the floor workers would hide the materials they have been damaging and take off their headphones. The investors were very concerned and needed help for their organization which could help production and increase profits.

Based on the situation illustrated in the scenarios, what theory/theories of employee motivation could be used to increase productivity? Why?

Heathfield ( 2011), "Every person has different reasons for working. The reasons for working are as individual as the person. But, we all work because we obtain something that we need from work. The something obtained from work impacts morale, employee motivation, and the quality of life. To create positive employee motivation, treat employees as if they matter - because employees matter. These ideas will help you fulfill what people want from work and create employee motivation (Human Resources, para. 1). There are a number of different views and theories as to motivate workers. Victory Shoe Factory could set up a staff survey which is helpful in establishing whether staff in a company is motivated and preforming in their best effect. The process of involving and consulting with staff is hugely beneficial and motivational in its own right. They could apply the "need for achievement" research and try to set up conditions that would best support each employee. It is often assumed that all people are motivated by the same things. In actuality everybody is motivated by a whole range of factors. These can include questions to what really motivates employees, including learning about their values. They