Extrinsic reward: Difference between revisions

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Rewards in general can consist of every benefit provided by an employer to their employee in return for their work (Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p.108). The term '''extrinsic reward''' describes a certain type of rewards, which are tangible and visible (Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p.109). They can for example consist of pay, trainings, job security or the opportunity to be promoted (Eneh et al 2022, p. 3). As they are separate from the work itself, these certain types of rewards are called extrinsic (Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p. 109).  
Rewards in general can consist of every benefit provided by an employer to their employee in return for their work <ref>Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p.108</ref>. The term '''extrinsic reward''' describes a certain type of rewards, which are tangible and visible <ref>Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p.109</ref>. They can for example consist of pay, trainings, job security or the opportunity to be promoted <ref>Eneh et al 2022, p. 3</ref>. As they are separate from the work itself, these certain types of rewards are called extrinsic <ref>Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p. 109</ref>.


'''Extrinsic rewards''' are especially important for employees, as they are necessary for satisfying their main physical needs and thus form the basis for their existence on personal, family and social level. They can be useful tool for attracting potential employees as well as retaining current staff.  
'''Extrinsic rewards''' are especially important for employees, as they are necessary for satisfying their main physical needs and thus form the basis for their existence on personal, family and social level <ref>Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p. 109</ref>. They can be useful tool for attracting potential employees as well as retaining current staff <ref>Armstrong 2007, p. 131</ref>.  


==Link to Motivation Theory==
==Link to Motivation Theory==
In Herzberg et al’s motivation-hygiene theory, a distinction is made between two types of motivation:
In Herzberg et al’s motivation-hygiene theory, a distinction is made between two types of motivation <ref>Armstrong 2007, p. 121</ref>:


* Intrinsic [[motivation]], which is created through the task itself
* Intrinsic [[motivation]], which is created through the task itself
* Extrinsic [[motivation]], which is created by things done to or for the employee
* Extrinsic [[motivation]], which is created by things done to or for the employee


Parallel to this, extrinsic rewards such as pay or promotion are distinguished from intrinsic rewards, which refer to rather qualitative benefits, which contain aspects like sense of achievement, recognition or the opportunity to take part in decisions.
Parallel to this, extrinsic rewards such as pay or promotion are distinguished from intrinsic rewards, which refer to rather qualitative benefits, which contain aspects like sense of achievement, recognition or the opportunity to take part in decisions <ref>Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p. 109</ref>.


==Effects of Extrinsic Rewards==
==Effects of Extrinsic Rewards==
The use of extrinsic rewards can have different effects:
The use of extrinsic rewards can have different effects <ref>Riasat, Aslam & Nisar 2016, pp. 7-8</ref>:


* Extrinsic rewards are significantly linked to employees’ job performance
* Extrinsic rewards are significantly linked to employees’ job performance
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==Money’s Reward Functions==
==Money’s Reward Functions==
As mentioned above, money is one type of extrinsic rewards and it can possibly serve different purposes:
As mentioned above, money is one type of extrinsic rewards and it can possibly serve different purposes <ref>Armstrong 2007, p. 127</ref>:


* It can be a general goal for employees to work towards.
* It can be a general goal for employees to work towards.
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==Problems of Extrinsic Rewards==
==Problems of Extrinsic Rewards==
An increasing number of studies has shown that the use of external rewards may be helpful in the short term but can actually reduce an employee’s intrinsic motivation. That is, if a person is already motivated to perform a task, adding extrinsic rewards might crowd out the employee’s pervious motives and even lead to decreased effort. However, extrinsic rewards can also foster intrinsic motivation, if used correctly. The introduction would be most effectively, if the reward strengthens the aspects that intrinsically motivate a person. Additionally, a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards might be recommendable, as intrinsic rewards possibly have a more sustainable impact on employee motivation.
An increasing number of studies has shown that the use of external rewards may be helpful in the short term but can actually reduce an employee’s intrinsic motivation. That is, if a person is already motivated to perform a task, adding extrinsic rewards might crowd out the employee’s pervious motives and even lead to decreased effort. However, extrinsic rewards can also foster intrinsic motivation, if used correctly. The introduction would be most effectively, if the reward strengthens the aspects that intrinsically motivate a person <ref>Kinley & Ben-Hur 2015, p. 63</ref>. Additionally, a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards might be recommendable, as intrinsic rewards possibly have a more sustainable impact on employee motivation <ref>Armstrong 2007, p. 131</ref>.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:15, 31 October 2022

Rewards in general can consist of every benefit provided by an employer to their employee in return for their work [1]. The term extrinsic reward describes a certain type of rewards, which are tangible and visible [2]. They can for example consist of pay, trainings, job security or the opportunity to be promoted [3]. As they are separate from the work itself, these certain types of rewards are called extrinsic [4].

Extrinsic rewards are especially important for employees, as they are necessary for satisfying their main physical needs and thus form the basis for their existence on personal, family and social level [5]. They can be useful tool for attracting potential employees as well as retaining current staff [6].

Link to Motivation Theory

In Herzberg et al’s motivation-hygiene theory, a distinction is made between two types of motivation [7]:

  • Intrinsic motivation, which is created through the task itself
  • Extrinsic motivation, which is created by things done to or for the employee

Parallel to this, extrinsic rewards such as pay or promotion are distinguished from intrinsic rewards, which refer to rather qualitative benefits, which contain aspects like sense of achievement, recognition or the opportunity to take part in decisions [8].

Effects of Extrinsic Rewards

The use of extrinsic rewards can have different effects [9]:

  • Extrinsic rewards are significantly linked to employees’ job performance
  • There is a significant relationship between extrinsic rewards and job satisfaction
  • The structure of an organization’s reward system mediated the connection between extrinsic rewards and both job performance and job satisfaction

Money’s Reward Functions

As mentioned above, money is one type of extrinsic rewards and it can possibly serve different purposes [10]:

  • It can be a general goal for employees to work towards.
  • It can be used as a lever creating valued results.
  • It can show employees that they are valuable for the organization.
  • Receiving money is linked to valued benefits, which leads to it gaining a reward value itself.

Problems of Extrinsic Rewards

An increasing number of studies has shown that the use of external rewards may be helpful in the short term but can actually reduce an employee’s intrinsic motivation. That is, if a person is already motivated to perform a task, adding extrinsic rewards might crowd out the employee’s pervious motives and even lead to decreased effort. However, extrinsic rewards can also foster intrinsic motivation, if used correctly. The introduction would be most effectively, if the reward strengthens the aspects that intrinsically motivate a person [11]. Additionally, a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards might be recommendable, as intrinsic rewards possibly have a more sustainable impact on employee motivation [12].

References

  • Amal Jishnu, H. M. & Hareendrakumar, V. R. (2021). The Impact of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Rewards on Employee Commitment in the Public Sector Manufacturing Companies in India. SCMS Journal of Indian Management, 18(1).
  • Armstrong, M. (2007). A Handbook of Employee Reward Management and Practice (2nd ed). Kogan Page.
  • Kinley, N. & Ben-Hur, S. (2015). Changing Employee Behavior – A Practical Guide for Managers. Palgrave Macmillan.

Author: Leonie Pöter

  1. Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p.108
  2. Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p.109
  3. Eneh et al 2022, p. 3
  4. Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p. 109
  5. Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p. 109
  6. Armstrong 2007, p. 131
  7. Armstrong 2007, p. 121
  8. Amal Jishnu & Hareendrakumar 2021, p. 109
  9. Riasat, Aslam & Nisar 2016, pp. 7-8
  10. Armstrong 2007, p. 127
  11. Kinley & Ben-Hur 2015, p. 63
  12. Armstrong 2007, p. 131