HUMAN RESOURCE - REWARDS AS A MOTIVATION TOOL FOR EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

The aim of this research was to explore three vital issues in human resource management mainly- to ascertain whether rewards motivate employees, identify what kinds of rewards employees consider most beneficial and finally discuss some dilemmas and difficulties managers face in applying motivation theory to workplace setting. The research is informed by various literatures on the most effective and efficient ways of motivating employees to enhance high performance to and to achieve organizational goals. Most of the available literature on motivation shows that while motivated employees are essential for organizational goals, managers are often confronted with the challenge of coming up with the right mix of rewards which will motivate their employees for enhanced productivity. The research further suggests that efficient motivation program stems from a mixture of extrinsic and intrinsic rewards instead of focusing on any one particular one. Additionally, most of the challenges managers face in motivating their employees can be eliminated or reduced when myths surrounding motivation are discarded and individual differences in terms of preferences, and aspirations are incorporated. Finally, enhanced motivation can be attained when managers do their best to design the work setting so they become motivators in themselves while at the same time eliminate demotivating factors at the work place.