Ootusteooria

Ootusteooria, also known as expectancy theory, is a motivational theory developed by Victor Vroom. It posits that an individual's motivation to perform a certain task or exhibit a particular behavior is influenced by their belief in the likelihood of achieving a desired outcome and the value they place on that outcome. The theory is based on three key components: expectancy, instrumentality, and valence.

Expectancy refers to the belief that increased effort will lead to improved performance. For example, a salesperson might believe that working longer hours (effort) will result in more sales (performance). Instrumentality is the belief that successful performance will lead to a specific outcome or reward. The same salesperson might believe that achieving their sales target (performance) will result in receiving a bonus (outcome). Valence is the value or importance an individual places on the potential outcome or reward. The salesperson's motivation will depend on how much they desire the bonus.

According to Vroom, motivation is a product of these three components: Motivation = Expectancy x Instrumentality x Valence. If any of these factors are perceived as zero, then the overall motivation will be zero. This theory suggests that to enhance motivation, managers should focus on ensuring employees believe their efforts lead to good performance, that good performance is recognized and rewarded, and that the rewards are valued by the employees. It emphasizes individual perceptions and the subjective nature of motivation.