Motivation is one of the essential aspects of HRM which is concerned with the process of inducing, inspiring, organizing and stimulating employees to do the better job in organization. Motivation activates people for better job performance and high productivity. It is the result of interaction between individuals, the job situation and job characteristics.The outcome of such interaction leads to a goal directed behavior which satisfies organizational need. It is an inner state that energizes, activates and directs individual's behavior towards the attainment of organizational objectives.
The term "Motivation" is derived from the Latin word "Movire" meaning to move. Motivation thus, is to move to o or not to do something. More specifically, motivation in simple terms, can be understood as a set of forces or inner thoughts that cause people to behave in certain ways. It is a result of interaction between internal and external behavior that arise enthusiasm and persistence to pursue a certain course of action.
Motivation is a step-by-step process that prompts an individual into action. It is said that an individual ho is not motivated cannot contribute good individual performance, no matter how able he is. Similarly, it is true that people with less ability but with high motivation can perform better in the organization.
The three basic elements of motivation are: needs, drives and goals. Needs refer to an individuals physical and psychological requirements. If such requirements are not met through organizational process, they lead to drives. It means unfulfilled need stimulates individual to do something. The drive is finally directed towards the attainment of some specific goals. When a goal is attained, it restores the psychological and physiological balance within the individual.
