Bases of work motivation in development societies: a framework for performance management

Abstract

In this essay authors endeavored to analyse and understand variables that adversely affect level of motivation and performance of people within work organizations in developing societies. The authors analyse and identify the endogenous and the exogenous variables affecting worker motivation. With respect to exogenous variables, it is apparent that employees, owing to enduring influences of past socialization, bring with them habits, norms, and expectations that guide their behaviours at work place. It is this cultural baggage they carry that is stubbornly resistant to change. This has to be accepted as given while attempting to improve employee motivation and performance. It is the set of endogenous organizational variables that need to be looked at more carefully for identifying action levers for improving worker motivation and performance. These action levers have to be designed in such a way that they become compatible with the socio-cultural norms of the employees. With particular reference to Indian organizations, we have formed these into the following imperatives.