What is Extrinsic Motivation?
‘Extrinsic Motivation’ refers to the motivation provided by extrinsic factors which exist outside the scope of normal factors such as compensation, rewards, bonus, recognition, etc. Extrinsic motivation might also result in avoiding behaviours which might impact negatively on the employee.
Extrinsic motivation should not be confused with intrinsic motivation such as salary, rewards and recognition, etc. which relates directly to the employee’s behaviour.
As is evident, the employee behaviour would be dictated by both the extrinsic and intrinsic motivations as they would influence the employee to work in the fulfilment of the interests of the company.
For example, an employee might help his subordinate complete their work on time which will help in completion of the employee’s own work. Here, the extrinsic motivation stems from the fact that helping with the subordinate’s work will help with recognition in the office while the intrinsic factor of completing one’s own work on time might help with additional rewards or bonuses resulting in the company benefiting as the job is being completed on time.
