Goal setting and worker motivation

Sebastian Goerg

IZA World of Labor, 2015, No 178, 178

Abstract: Employers want motivated and productive employees. Are there ways to increase employee motivation without relying solely on monetary incentives, such as pay-for-performance schemes? One tool that has shown promise in recent decades for improving worker performance is setting goals, whether they are assigned by management or self-chosen. Goals are powerful motivators for workers, with the potential for boosting productivity in an organization. However, if not chosen carefully or if used in unsuitable situations, goals can have undesired and harmful consequences. Goals are a powerful tool that needs to be applied with caution.

Keywords: goals; effort; performance; non-monetary incentives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 C93 D01 D23 M5 M54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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