Bachelor Thesis on Effective Leadership to Motivate Employees in an Organization

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The study showed that about eighty-six percent of the companies had a lot of challenges in attracting new employees while fifty-eight percent expressed concerns in retaining current employees. The relevance of this study can be traced to the existing conditions in the market as more business is indicating challenges in getting new employees and retaining the existing ones. Other studies have revealed that when a company loses ten employees, it runs the risk of losing about one million dollars in profits.

Relevance

The discussion reveals the major aspects that can be coined together to bring about change in the business environment; leadership and motivation[5]. The motivation of employees will lead to achievement of the personal goals of the employees which will translate to meeting h set organizational goals. Job satisfaction is one of the ways in which employees’ motivation can be assessed[6]. The employees are believed to be more satisfied with jobs that take into consideration their hard input through motivation programs and policies. In a research by the Society for Human Resources Management, it was established that about 83% of the employees had the likelihood of retaining their current position due to the increased motivation and job satisfaction they experienced. The study concluded that the contribution of the leaders was paramount to the continued job satisfaction of the employees only though increased motivation. These are nonfinancial methods of improving the business productivity as the only thing required is cooperation between the management and the employees. The research presented will show the various theoretical models that have been proposed for employee motivation looking at the details to establish the bets methods that the leaders can use to incorporate them in the daily business operation. Additionally, some of the leadership methods that have been proposed to assist in the incorporation of motivation of the employees.

Problem Statement

Motivation should not be used as tool to manipulate or control employees as this does not work in the long run. Almost a decade ago, studies revealed that different factors had varying abilities of improving employee motivation. The factors keep changing with time as the influence of the environment has an impact on the motivation of the employees. Although the concept of motivation has been studied for centuries, it remains at the heart of most discussions as researchers aim to establish a lasting solution for the businesses[7]. Every organization has some key qualities that determine the productivity of employees. Indeed, this forms the basis of recruiting as one has to mark the required talent and identify it in the candidates presented. After the hiring process, the employee becomes part of the organization, contributing in one way or the other to the profitability of the profitability of the company[8]. The level of satisfaction of the employees will determine the time the employee will take in the company.

Most of the leaders have exercised a form of control on the employees leading to reduced motivation as the leadership is dictatorial. Indeed, most of the employees are not involved in the decisions that directly affect them[9]. The result has been the continuous resignation if jobs at the companies leading to productivity gaps. Although most of the organizations view motivation as a strategic issue, it is more to do the leadership styles employed in the work area. It is important to note that different methods of employee motivation exist and it is crucial for the leadership to establish which ones to employ. Nevertheless, most of the companies have often been misled that increase in the salaries and bonus are the only way for employee motivation[10]. This has led to faultier of the motivation methods bringing a question to the management about what employees really want. It is naïve to ignore the other potential motivators of the employees due to lack of direct communication between the leaders and the employees. This brings an important aspect of communication that is crucial for the leaders to understand the best ways to motivate the employees effectively.

Motivation is an important element and most practitioners and researchers have been looking for methods to increase the involvement of the employees in the business operations[11]. The differing stages of life are also a factor that influences the motivation of the various employees. As a key organizational factor, motivation should be tied to leadership to ensure the continued success of the practices employed. The perception of the employees towards work should be changed using various leadership strategies that are efficient for the employees[12]. The question of motivation continues to fascinate most of the theorists leading up to the formulation of several models that attempt to conceptualize motivation. The theory of self-determination has been used to propose that various intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate employees[13]. Also, the two factor method theory has been proposed for the application in organizations. Some of the leadership concepts can be applied to help in the application of correct strategies to increase employee’s participation, motivation and job satisfaction in the business environment.

This thesis will aim at addressing the linkage of the employees and the leaders. It will address the application of various theoretical frameworks to answer the question; how can effective leadership motivate employees in an organization? In addition some specific questions will be addressed to effectively address the research question.

- What is the link between leadership and motivation of employees?

- What are the theories that can inform the motivation if employees in an organization?

- What are the leadership concepts that are crucial in employee motivation?

- Can the leadership theories and those of motivation lead to increased productivity of an organization?

Limitations of the Study

This thesis will be based on only two motivational theories and three leadership aspects in answering the research question. It will only aim to establish the relationship and impact of leadership styles to motivation of employees in a general environment. It will be limited to the use of a theoretical approach in providing inferences and recommendations for use.

I intend this to be a theoretical thesis. As such, I will be delimited to the use of literature and primary data such as personal research, and interviews among