Business - 9225 OxfordAQA

Motivating Employees

Overview

Two packing lines in the same warehouse in Manila run the same shift with the same machinery and the same number of people. One packs 340 cases an hour, the other 260. Nobody on the slower line is lazy and nobody on the faster line is working harder in any way you could photograph. The difference is that the supervisor on the faster line asks her team what is slowing them down, tells them the day's target and why it matters, and has twice sent someone on a course they asked for. The other supervisor gives instructions. That gap of 80 cases an hour costs nothing to close and it is the most profitable thing the warehouse manager could do this year.

This lesson is about where that gap comes from. You will see what a motivated workforce is actually worth, in output, in quality and in the people who stay rather than leave. You will learn the four main methods of payment the specification names and what each one quietly encourages employees to do, work through the non-financial methods that often matter more, and see why a business cannot simply pay its way out of a motivation problem. One warning before you start: this specification examines methods of motivation, not theories of it, and says so in writing.

Objectives

  1. Importance of motivation in the workforce.
  2. Methods to motivate staff.

Mind map

This topic is mapped out so you can see how the ideas connect.

Open the mind map in the app

Lesson Note

Look again at the two packing lines. The warehouse is paying both teams the same wage for the same hours, and getting 31 per cent more work from one of them. That is the whole business case for taking motivation seriously: it is output the business has already paid for and is not receiving.

Complete Note Available on the Green Bridge App

Get the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer for the complete IGCSE library: past papers, mark schemes, mind maps, flashcards and audio lessons.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Timed mock exams marked the moment you finish
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux iOS app coming soon

Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Motivating Employees. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. Which one of the following is a financial method of motivation? A. Job rotation B. Commission C. A democratic management style D. Greater responsibility Answer: B
  2. A salesperson is paid 4 per cent commission on everything she sells. Last month she sold goods worth 250,000 rupees. How much commission did she earn? A. 1,000 rupees B. 4,000 rupees C. 10,000 rupees D. 25,000 rupees Answer: C
  3. Which management style involves the manager consulting employees and taking their views into account before deciding? A. Autocratic B. Democratic C. Laissez-faire D. Centralised Answer: B
  4. Which one of the following is a fringe benefit? A. Payment for overtime hours B. A share of the annual profits C. Free health insurance provided by the employer D. A rise in the hourly wage rate Answer: C
  5. Which one of the following is the most likely drawback of paying production workers a piece rate? A. Workers will produce less output B. The quality of work may fall C. Workers cannot be paid overtime D. The business cannot measure output Answer: B

Work through these questions in the app

Work through these questions in the app

Practice Mock Questions

Want to practice mock questions on Motivating Employees? Download the Green Bridge CBT app to access mock questions and full practice assessments for this topic.

Download The App On Google Playstore

Everything you need to excel in your exams

Green Bridge CBT Mobile App
Personalized AI Learning Chat Assistant
200,000+ Exam Questions Across IGCSE, JAMB, WAEC & NECO
Over 3,900 Lesson Notes
Offline Support - Learn Anytime, Anywhere
Green Bridge Timetable
Literature Summaries & Potential Questions
Track Your Performance & Progress
In-depth Explanations for Comprehensive Learning