Instructions According To Various Scholars It Has Been Ident
Instructionsaccording To Various Scholars It Has Been Identified That
Instructions according to various scholars, it has been identified that compensation plays a role in affecting the behaviors of employees. The impact can be either positive or negative. Contributing factors can range from the employer, the employee, the goals/objectives, perceptions, attributions, and behaviors. Each plays a role in determining the outcome. For this assignment, you will identify and address the pros and cons of compensation and its effect on employee behaviors, and you will then address the questions below. What motivates employees? Does compensation motivate behavior? What are some elements of motivation? Can compensation attract and retain employees? What behaviors should compensation reinforce? Your essay should be at least two pages in length, including an introduction, a body of supported material, and a conclusion. The title page and references page do not count toward meeting the minimum page requirement. A minimum of three scholarly references is required for this assignment.
Paper For Above instruction
Compensation is a fundamental aspect of human resource management that significantly influences employee behaviors and organizational outcomes. Scholars have extensively debated the dual role of compensation in motivating employees and shaping their behaviors, highlighting both its benefits and drawbacks. This essay explores the pros and cons of compensation, its motivational effects, and the specific behaviors it ought to reinforce.
The positive implications of compensation are well-documented. Financial rewards such as salaries, bonuses, and incentives serve as powerful motivators, fostering increased productivity and job satisfaction (Larkin, Pierce, & Gino, 2012). When employees perceive their remuneration as fair and aligned with their efforts, they are more likely to exhibit commitment, punctuality, and attention to quality work (Kuvaas, 2006). Furthermore, competitive compensation packages can attract top talent and aid in employee retention, reducing turnover costs and fostering organizational stability (Eisenberger & Rhoades, 2002). Compensation can also reinforce desired behaviors, such as innovation or customer service, by linking rewards to specific achievements (Deci & Ryan, 2000).
Conversely, reliance solely on monetary incentives has notable drawbacks. Overemphasis on financial rewards may undermine intrinsic motivation, leading to a transactional work environment where employees perform tasks only for monetary gain (Pink, 2009). It can also induce unhealthy competition, favoritism, or short-term performance at the expense of long-term organizational goals. Additionally, if rewards are perceived as unfair or unattainable, they can diminish motivation and foster resentment (Adams, 1965). There is also the risk of compensation-driven stress and burnout, which negatively affect employee well-being and productivity.
Understanding what motivates employees is complex, involving both extrinsic factors like pay and intrinsic factors such as meaningful work and recognition (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Compensation undoubtedly influences motivation, especially when aligned with individual and organizational goals. Elements of motivation include achievement, recognition, responsibility, growth opportunities, and the desire for meaningful work (Maslow, 1943). These elements can be intertwined with compensation strategies — for example, recognizing achievements publicly or providing career development opportunities alongside financial rewards (Herzberg, 1966).
Regarding attraction and retention, competitive compensation packages are crucial. They signal organizational value and commitment to employee well-being, making organizations more appealing in competitive labor markets (Todd & Harris, 2008). Properly structured remuneration can reduce turnover and foster a loyal, engaged workforce. However, non-monetary factors such as a positive work environment, career development prospects, and organizational culture also substantially influence employee retention (Allen, 2008).
In terms of behaviors that compensation should reinforce, the focus should be on aligning rewards with organizational values and performance standards. Behaviors such as teamwork, innovation, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement should be encouraged through appropriate incentives (Locke & Latham, 2002). Employers must ensure that reward systems promote ethical conduct and sustainable performance, avoiding unintended consequences like manipulative practices or compromised integrity (Bennett & Robinson, 2000). Ultimately, an effective compensation system balances extrinsic rewards with intrinsic motivational factors to foster a committed, high-performing workforce.
References
- Adams, J. S. (1965). Inequity in social exchange. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 2, 267-299.
- Allen, D. G. (2008). Retaining talent: A guide to analyzing and managing employee turnover. SHRM Foundation.
- Bennett, R. J., & Robinson, S. P. (2000). Ethical issues in employee misconduct. Journal of Business Ethics, 23(3), 217-232.
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.
- Eisenberger, R., & Rhoades, L. (2002). Perceived organizational support: A review of the literature. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 698-714.
- Herzberg, F. (1966). Work and the nature of man. World Publishing Company.
- Kuvaas, B. (2006). Work performance, affective commitment, and work motivation: The roles of pay administration and pay level. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27(3), 365-385.
- Larkin, I., Pierce, L., & Gino, F. (2012). The psychological costs of pay-for-performance: Implications for the management of motivation and trust. Harvard Business Review.
- Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-396.
- Pink, D. H. (2009). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. Riverhead Books.
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: Classic definitions and new directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 54-67.
- Todd, R., & Harris, K. J. (2008). Pay satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and organizational commitment: The mediating role of perceived organizational support. Personnel Review, 37(2), 206-222.