Expectancy theory

After the VIE theory ( for valence, instrumentality, expectancy) of Vroom (1964 ) the question whether a person achievement motivation shows not only the result of their individual plants or their socialization, but also of factors of the situation depends. The VIE theory is thus one in the field of motivation theories to the category of process theories, ie it does not rewrite the substantive aspects (such as the satisfaction of needs, striving for status ), but considers the dynamics of motivation ( How does motivation? What rules follow motivational processes? ). Within the VIE theories attempting to calculate the intention of the behavior of the valence of the goals of instrumentality of action for the achievement of these objectives and the subjective probability of being able to exhibit this behavior. ( Lutz von Rosenstiel, 2007)

The VIE theory specifically deals with the processes that lead to the decision for a certain action alternative ( prädezisionalen phase after Heckhausen ).

• 4.1 criticism

Basis of the theory

Basis of the VIE theory is the path-goal approach (Path - Goal Approach) of Georgopoulus, Mahoney & Jones (1957 ): therefore, performance is only considered ( the "way" ) of individuals as desirable if it brings a desirable goal can be achieved. Accordingly, the degree of orientation shown power at the expense which is necessary in order to reach the destination.

This approach is based on the paradigm of Nutzenmaximierers: the perception of a " relative benefit" is much more crucial for their willingness to provide the service.

Assumptions of the VIE theory

Vroom is different in his theory between two kinds of consequences that result from human activity: the results of action (first stage results ) and the consequences of actions (second stage results ).

• Results of action (E) are the direct results, which result from the action or inaction of a person, such as job promotion, which is offered as a result of dedicated work. An action result is thus always a result of an action alternative.
• As consequences of action (F), the effect is called, which has result of an action on other areas of life. In the case of transport, this would be, for example, more responsibility, less leisure time, better pay and more prestige.

One must distinguish three levels: 1 Motivation and action → 2 → 3 Action Result Sequence

To explain how people make decisions motivational ( " rigor I me or not ?"), According to Vroom the following three aspects are necessary: ​​the instrumentality of the action outcome, the valence of the sequence of actions and the associated expectation of the person.

Instrumentality

Instrumentality stands for the relationship between the action result and the resulting action sequences, "d h action results may have favorable or unfavorable effects. " Behind the notion of instrumentality so hides the extent to which the results of my efforts attracts desirable consequences.

Result of an action may thus have the same positive and negative instrumentality ( impact ), based on different action sequences. The above-mentioned Transport, for example, has positive instrumentality in terms of income ( this rises of transportation). At the same time it but also has a negative instrumentality on leisure ( with the greater responsibility you are less dispensable and have to work longer).

Valence

Lower valence Vroom understands the value, have the certain states for an individual. Valency thus indicates the degree to which a specific condition for an individual desirable or important this is. Here, valence V refers in the context of VIE theory on the action result, the valence V ' on the consequences of actions. Because the valence V of the action result ( E) is, according to the theory of valences V ' and I instrumentalities of action sequences F.

Vroom posits that a person for any act calculated result of the specific instrumentality " I ( F) " of the action result. How significant are these effects in detail for the evaluation of the action result depends on the particular valence of the action sequence from "V " (F) ". Due to the valence of a particular sequence of actions their change obtained by the action of more or less weight. How desirable the result is direct action ( " valence (E) " ) concerns as the sum of the weighted instrumentalities of all action sequences. This can be mathematically represented as follows:

Using the example of transport that would mean the following: Suppose the employees, the promotion could be offered is just become a father. He wants to spend as much time as possible with his child, but after a possible transport available to have less free time (negative instrumentality for F1). On the other hand, the young father might think that he is now all alone must provide for his family, a salary increase would come as the right (positive instrumentality for F2). Depending on how important it is for the remaining free time or the higher income, affects either the negative or the positive instrumentality more on the valence of transportation. These appear to be desirable according to total more or less it.

At this point, however, is not decided how desirable is the result of action. This, however, no decision is accompanied, if acted upon, whether effort is invested.

Expectation

The term expectation here describes the degree of perceived occurrence probability of a result. The expectation measures Vroom on a scale from 0 to 1: With an expectation of 0, the individual holding the occurrence of an event due to a particular action is unlikely with an expectation of 1 occurrence of an event is considered to be safe.

In the VIE theory, it is important to distinguish between expectancy and instrumentality. Both are subjective assessments of the individual, but situates different in Vroom's model:

• Expectation = action - outcome - context: the probability assumed that the conditions for the action result will be fulfilled by the use. This expectation depends mainly on personality characteristics of the individual themselves, about skills and self-confidence.
• Instrumentality = result - consequence connection: The probability of the result of their own power leads to the desired action sequences. This is mainly influenced by behavior of supervisors and organizational rules.

The motivational decision

A person whether they invested power or not decision that, after Vroom finally from the interaction of their expectations and the valence of the action result:

The individual is therefore resort to that action alternative that has the highest R - value. The multiplicative combination of valence and expectancy shows that both aspects must reach a minimum level, so that a person is willing to show performance. An extremely desirable goal still is not performance-enhancing effect if the person accepts that this result can not be achieved (eg because one is convinced " to be anyway ignored " for promotion or because they themselves not competent for enough holds ). Simultaneously, action goals, which would be very easy to reach, yet not have a motivating effect, if they have no positive valence (eg the neighbors the yard return ).

In this view, performance is therefore extrinsically motivated, it is for the individual a tool to achieve action sequences with positive valence.

Evaluation of VIE theory

Particularly important for the corporate practice is the statement of the theory that the motivation of employees by the skillful combination of operating with individual goals depends. The basic idea of ​​the VIE theory is very plausible, but at the same time also quite complex. Despite their complexity, the VIE theory forms a useful basis for the derivation of concrete Motivierungsstrategien in everyday. Their mathematical formulation allows precise empirical verification of the theory and makes it particularly interesting for science. Thus it has become the currently dominant theory of motivation.

In applying the VIE theory but note that it only part of the performance and motivational process considered ( decision for or against action alternatives ). The motivation must only then translated into actions and achievements, controlled and evaluated.

Conclusion for practice

According to Vroom's theory, an employee would do good service if he sees a high probability (high expectations ) that:

So to the question of motivation in terms of a management task, it comes out at first, " in conversations with employees to determine their expectations, valences and instrumentalities to increase by targeted influence of these variables to their productivity. "

Criticism

Criticism of Vroom's model can be summarized in the following points: