Analyzing Management Style and Successful Implementation of Six Sigma

Motivation Theory

While there are many definitions of motivation available in the literature (Bilge, 2006), the definition provided by Kaliprasad (2006) is worth noting, since it strikes at the heart of the study of motivation that seeks to understand what it is that drives a free society to be willing to work. Kaliprasad’s (p. 22) “willingness to work” definition of motivation is simple yet powerful, since it reaches to the core of the study of motivation. For decades, researchers have repeatedly attempted to determine what factors create this willingness in workers. Therefore, researchers attempted to determine what these factors are, since there is substantial evidence linking motivation to improved productivity (Moore et al., 2006). Unfortunately, research has shown that there are many different factors that can affect worker motivation (Rosser & Townsend, 2006). As a result, many different motivational theories have evolved.