What motivates employees to perform well according to Expectancy Theory?

Expectancy Theory, developed by Victor Vroom, emphasizes that employees are motivated to perform well based on their expectations of the outcomes of their behavior. The theory suggests that motivation is driven by the belief that effort will lead to performance and that performance will lead to a certain reward. Therefore, the magnitude of rewards plays a crucial role in this process.

When employees perceive that the rewards for their efforts are substantial, they are more likely to invest effort into their tasks. If the potential rewards are seen as valuable and attainable, employees feel more motivated to achieve high performance. This emphasis on the reward aspect aligns with the core principle of Expectancy Theory, which posits that motivation is a function of both the expected outcomes and the value placed on those outcomes.

In contrast, job security, true interest in tasks, and clarity of expectations may influence motivation but are not as directly related to the core concept of Expectancy Theory, which focuses primarily on the relationship between effort, performance, and reward magnitude.