According to Expectancy Theory, what enhances an individual's motivation at work?

Expectancy Theory posits that an individual's motivation is influenced by their expectations of the outcomes of their efforts. It suggests that people are motivated to act in a certain way if they anticipate that their actions will lead to desired outcomes.

In this context, recognition and rewards for performance are critical because they directly fulfill the principles of Expectancy Theory. When employees see a clear link between their performance and receiving recognition or rewards, their motivation to perform at a higher level increases. This is because the expectation of being rewarded for their hard work encourages individuals to invest more effort into their tasks, knowing that such investment will lead to positive recognition or tangible rewards.

While job security, work-life balance, and flexible working hours contribute to overall job satisfaction and can influence motivation, they do not specifically address the direct linkage between performance and recognition. Recognition and rewards act as a powerful motivator by reinforcing the behavior that led to those outcomes, aligning closely with the tenets of Expectancy Theory.