Expectancy Theory
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Vroom's theory assumes that behavior results from conscious choices among alternatives whose
purpose it is to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. The key elements to this theory are referred to
as Expectancy (E), Instrumentality (I), and Valence (V). Critical to the understanding of the theory is
the understanding that each of these factors represents a belief.
The Expectancy Theory of Victor Vroom deals with motivation and management. Vroom's theory
assumes that behavior results from conscious choices among alternatives whose purpose it is to
maximize pleasure and minimize pain. Together with Edward Lawler and Lyman Porter, Vroom
suggested that the relationship between people's behavior at work and their goals was not as simple
as was first imagined by other scientists. Vroom realized that an employee's performance is based on
individuals factors such as personality, skills, knowledge, experience and abilities.
The expectancy theory says that individuals have different sets of goals and can be motivated if they
believe that:
There is a positive correlation between efforts and performance,
Favorable performance will result in a desirable reward,
The reward will satisfy an important need,
The desire to satisfy the need is strong enough to make the effort worthwhile.
Vroom's Expectancy Theory is based upon the following three beliefs:
1. Valence (Valence refers to the emotional orientations people hold with
respect to outcomes [rewards]. The depth of the want of an employee
for extrinsic [money, promotion, time-off, benefits] or intrinsic
[satisfaction] rewards). Management must discover what employees
value.
2. Expectancy (Employees have different expectations and levels of
confidence about what they are capable of doing). Management must
discover what resources, training, or supervision employees need.
3. Instrumentality (The perception of employees whether they will actually
get what they desire even if it has been promised by a manager).
Management must ensure that promises of rewards are fulfilled and
that employees are aware of that.
Vroom suggests that an employee's beliefs about Expectancy, Instrumentality,
and Valence interact psychologically to create a motivational force such that the
employee acts in ways that bring pleasure and avoid pain. This force can be
'calculated' via the following formula: Motivation = Valance ×
Expectancy(Instrumentality). This formula can be used to indicate and predict
such things as job satisfaction, one's occupational choice, the likelihood of
staying in a job, and the effort one might expend at work.
Vroom's theory suggests that the individual will consider the outcomes
associated with various levels of performance (from an entire spectrum of
performance possibilities), and elect to pursue the level that generates the
greatest reward for him or her.
Expectancy refers to the strength of a person's belief about whether or not a
particular job performance is attainable. Assuming all other things are equal, an
employee will be motivated to try a task, if he or she believes that it can be
done. This expectancy of performance may be thought of in terms of
probabilities ranging from zero (a case of "I can't do it!") to 1.0 ("I have no doubt
whatsoever that I can do this job!")
A number of factors can contribute to an employee's expectancy perceptions:
the level of confidence in the skills required for the task
the amount of support that may be expected from superiors and subordinates
the quality of the materials and equipment
the availability of pertinent information
Previous success at the task has also been shown to strengthen
expectancy beliefs.
[edit]Instrumentality
e.g. "What's the probability that, if I do a good job, that there will be some
kind of outcome in it for me?"
If an employee believes that a high level of performance will be
instrumental for the acquisition of outcomes which may be gratifying, then
the employee will place a high value on performing well. Vroom defines
Instrumentality as a probability belief linking one outcome (a high level of
performance, for example) to another outcome (a reward).
Instrumentality may range from a probability of 1.0 (meaning that the
attainment of the second outcome — the reward — is certain if the first
outcome — excellent job performance — is attained) through zero
(meaning there is no likely relationship between the first outcome and the
second). An example of zero instrumentality would be exam grades that
were distributed randomly (as opposed to be awarded on the basis of
excellent exam performance). Commission pay schemes are designed to
make employees perceive that performance is positively instrumental for
the acquisition of money.
For management to ensure high levels of performance, it must tie desired
outcomes (positive valence) to high performance, and ensure that the
connection is communicated to employees. The VIE theory holds that
people have preferences among various outcomes. These preferences
tend to reflect a person's underlying need state.
[edit]Valence
"Is the outcome I get of any value to me?"
The term Valence refers to the emotional orientations people hold with
respect to outcomes (rewards). An outcome is positively valent if an
employee would prefer having it to not having it. An outcome that the
employee would rather avoid ( fatigue, stress, noise, layoffs) is negatively
valent. Outcomes towards which the employee appears indifferent are said
to have zero valence. Valences refer to the level of satisfaction people
expect to get from the outcome (as opposed to the actual satisfaction they
get once they have attained the reward).
Vroom suggests that an employee's beliefs about Expectancy,
Instrumentality, and Valence interact psychologically to create a
motivational force such that the employee acts in ways that bring pleasure
and avoid pain.
People elect to pursue levels of job performance that they believe will
maximize their overall best interests (their subjective expected utility).
There will be no motivational forces acting on an employee if any of these
three conditions hold:
the person does not believe that he/she can successfully perform the required task
the person believes that successful task performance will not be associated with
positively valent outcomes
the person believes that outcomes associated with successful task completion will be
negatively valent (have no value for that person)
(Source: WILF H. RATZBURG British Columbia Institute of
Technology)
[edit]Bibliography
