how managers can use Expectancy Theory to motivate employees

Drawing from theory and research studies, critically discuss how managers can use Expectancy Theory to motivate employees.  

Managing People in
Organisations – Assessment

1. Assessment Details & Requirements

2. Assessment Criteria & Marking Matrix

3. Q&A – Assessment details/Assessment Criteria

4. Guidance on Essay Questions

Q&A Essay Questions
• Question 1.

Drawing from theory and research studies, critically discuss how managers can use
Expectancy Theory to motivate employees.

 

 

Assessment: Essay Assignment

Word limit: 3000 words (excluding references BUT including text in subheadings, tables and
diagrams).

Referencing
• You should the Harvard System.

• It is extremely important that your coursework includes accurate literature citations
and a reference list. Citations can be from multiple sources, including course
materials, core text and research articles, published reports and websites.

• When producing academic work, convention dictates that you substantiate your
arguments and give credit to the published work of authors (of theories, models,
ideas). Post Graduate Student Handbook and the Post Graduate Information Room on
Blackboard for full details.

• You can carry out a TURNITIN checks in the Post Graduate Information Room. You
must also submit a copy of your essay via TURNITIN when you submit your essay
through Blackboard for the module.

Assessment Criteria
• Use of knowledge – understanding and analysis of the

concepts, models, theories

• Critical response to the question – understanding of the issues
and complexities posed by the question

• Construct of answer – structure and coherence of answer and
material/literature used

• Management Praxis – implications for managers and
management of people

A s s e s s m e n t
criteria

Hard Fail
(0-39)

Soft Fail
(40-49)

Pass
(50-59)

Merit
(60-69)

Distinction
(70-79)

Distinction
(80+)

Use of
Knowledge

No understanding or use of
appropriate concepts, theories and
frameworks.

Sketchy understanding and
limited use of appropriate
concepts, theories and
frameworks.

Sound understanding or use of some
appropriate concepts, theories and
frameworks but includes some errors and
omissions.

High standard of critical analysis using
appropriate concepts theories and
frameworks. Some use of evidence in
analysis and to support discussion.

High standard of critical analysis using a
well-judged selection of appropriate
conceptual frameworks. Goes well beyond
core module materials. Very strong use of
evidence in analysis, and to support
discussions.

Fully comprehensive and deep understanding
of key concepts, theories and knowledge.
Goes beyond core module materials.
Comprehensive use of evidence to support
analysis and discussions.

Critical
Analysis

No or very little understanding of
the issues raised by the essay title.
No or little application of narrative
to the issues raised by the title.

Some understanding of the issues
raised by the essay title, but
superficial and/or confused
analysis.

A clear structure which deals with some
of the issues raised by the title, but lacks
awareness of nuances and complexities.

A clear awareness of the nuances and
complexities posed by the title which
cogently deals with the issues raised.

Critical and reflexive awareness of the
nuances and complexities posed by the
title which cogently deals with the issues
raised.

Outstanding in-depth consideration of key
issues with skilful interpretation and use of
an extensive range of evidence

Management
Praxis

No implications established for
management praxis.

A few implications established for
management praxis with
superficial justification.

A few implications established for
management praxis with systematic
justification

Comprehensive analysis of
implications for management praxis
with systematic justification but limited
to long-standing issues.

Rigorous analysis of implications for
management praxis with systematic
justification which includes contemporary
and epistemological issues.

Superb analysis of implications for
management praxis with systematic
justification which includes authoritative
articulation of contemporary and
epistemological issues

Essay
Construction

Poor/confused English with no
attention to appropriate referencing
of authoritative sources or empirical
data. Poor understanding of lecture
notes.

Clear but unsophisticated English.
Haphazard referencing. No
evidence of independent research
with primary reliance upon
lecture notes.

Sophisticated prose. Systematic
referencing. Some evidence of
independent research but much reliance
upon lecture notes.

Incisive sophisticated prose. Consistent
evidence of independent research that
synthesizes and evaluates
systematically referenced source
material.

Incisive sophisticated prose. Substantial
evidence of independent research that
reflexively synthesizes and evaluates
systematically referenced source material.

Outstanding ability to integrate material from
a variety of sources, to deploy accurately and
imaginatively established techniques of
analysis and enquiry and (where applicable)
to demonstrate and understanding of
approaches and methods at the frontier of
research.

Assessmen
t criteria

Hard Fail
(0-39)
Soft Fail
(40-49)
Pass
(50-59)
Merit
(60-69)
Distinction
(70-79)
Distinction
(80+)
Use of
Knowledge

No understanding
or use of
appropriate
concepts, theories
and frameworks.

Sketchy
understanding
and limited use of
appropriate
concepts, theories
and frameworks.

Sound
understanding or
use of some
appropriate
concepts, theories
and frameworks
but includes some
errors and
omissions.

High standard of
critical analysis
using appropriate
concepts theories
and frameworks.
Some use of
evidence in
analysis and to
support
discussion.

High standard of
critical analysis
using a well-judged
selection of
appropriate
conceptual
frameworks. Goes
well beyond core
module materials.
Very strong use of
evidence in analysis,
and to support
discussions.

Fully comprehensive
and deep understanding
of key concepts,
theories and knowledge.
Goes beyond core
module materials.
Comprehensive use of
evidence to support
analysis and
discussions.

Critical
Analysis

No or very little
understanding of
the issues raised by
the essay title.
No/little application
of narrative to the
issues raised by the
title.

Some
understanding of
the issues raised
by the essay title,
but superficial
and/or confused
analysis.

A clear structure
which deals with
some of the issues
raised by the title,
but lacks
awareness of
nuances and
complexities.

A clear
awareness of the
nuances and
complexities
posed by the title
which cogently
deals with the
issues raised.

Critical and
reflexive awareness
of the nuances and
complexities posed
by the title which
cogently deals with
the issues raised.

Outstanding in-depth
consideration of key
issues with skilful
interpretation and use
of an extensive range of
evidence

A s s e s s m e n t
criteria
Hard Fail
(0-39)
Soft Fail
(40-49)
Pass
(50-59)
Merit
(60-69)
Distinction
(70-79)
Distinction
(80+)

Manage-
ment
Praxis

No implications
established for
management
praxis.

A few
implications
established for
management
praxis with
superficial
justification.

A few
implications
established for
management
praxis with
systematic
justification

Comprehensive
analysis of
implications for
management praxis
with systematic
justification but
limited to long-
standing issues.

Rigorous analysis
of implications for
management praxis
with systematic
justification which
includes
contemporary and
epistemological
issues.

Superb analysis of
implications for
management praxis with
systematic justification
which includes
authoritative articulation
of contemporary and
epistemological issues

Essay
Constructio
n

Poor/confused
English with no
attention to
appropriate
referencing of
authoritative
sources or
empirical data.
Poor
understanding
of lecture notes.

Clear but
unsophisticated
English.
Haphazard
referencing. No
evidence of
independent
research with
primary
reliance upon
lecture notes.

Sophisticated
prose. Systematic
referencing.
Some evidence
of independent
research but
much reliance
upon lecture
notes.

Incisive
sophisticated prose.
Consistent
evidence of
independent
research that
synthesizes and
evaluates
systematically
referenced source
material.

Incisive
sophisticated prose.
Substantial
evidence of
independent
research that
reflexively
synthesizes and
evaluates
systematically
referenced source
material.

Outstanding ability to
integrate material from a
variety of sources, to
deploy accurately and
imaginatively established
techniques of analysis and
enquiry and (where
applicable) to demonstrate
and understanding of
approaches and methods at
the frontier of research.

Q&A – Assignment
Requirements & Marking Criteria

Essay Assignment Tips

• Introduction (1-2 paragraphs), main body (4-5 paragraphs), conclusion (1-2
paragraphs)

• Aim for more analytic writing than descriptive writing.

Study Skills 301 online tutorial on critical thinking and writing:
https://xerte.shef.ac.uk/play.php?template_id=453

• When you first mention concepts from the literature – define/explain them

• Show the source of support your arguments with citations to the literature

• Say what your answer is to the essay question in the conclusion. Your answer should
be based on what you have discussed and argued in the essay.

Q&A Essay Questions
• Question 1.

Drawing from theory and research studies, critically discuss how managers can use
Expectancy Theory to motivate employees. 

 

Suggested Guides for Thinking Through and
Planning Your Essay

Q1. Drawing from theory and research studies, critically discuss how managers can use
Expectancy Theory to motivate employees. 

• Use of knowledge – what is motivation and why is it important. How does expectancy theory
explain motivation at work? Why is this important?

• Critical response to the question – what does the literature say are the strengths and
limitations of expectancy theory? What are the issues and complexities in applying expectancy
theory in practice? Is there evidence to support its use in the work place?

• Construct of answer – what literature including research studies will you use to build your
answer? Will you do your own research into the literature on this topic/issues as well as draw
on material covered in the lectures and core reading?

• Management Praxis – what are the implications of the advantages/disadvantages,
strengths/weaknesses. Issues and complexities of applying expectancy theories for managers
and employees?