Victor Vroom’s Expectancy Theory

Victor Vroom’s Expectancy Theory

The theory assumes that behavior results from conscious choices among alternatives whose purpose is to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

The key elements to this theory are referred to as following-

1. Valence (V) 2. Instrumentality (I) 3. Expectancy (E)

Valence The term refers to the emotional

orientation people hold with respect to outcomes (rewards).

Valence may vary from -1 to +1. Valence is negative if the individual prefers

not attaining an outcome compared with attaining it.

Valence is zero if the individual is indifferent to the outcome.

Valence is positive if the individual has the strong preference to the outcome.

The Valence of the individual must be positive if motivation were to take place.

Instrumentality

The Instrumentality refers to the belief that the first level outcome will lead to the second level outcome .

The value of Instrumentality varies from 0 to 1. If an employee sees that promotions are based on performance, instrumentality will be rated high.

A low estimate of instrumentality will be made if the employee fails to see such linkage between performance and reward.

Expectancy Expectancy refers to the belief that an

effort will lead to completion of a task. The value of Expectancy varies

between 0 to 1. If an employee sees no chance that

effort will lead to the desired performance, the expectancy is zero.

On the other hand if the employee is confident that the task will be completed , the expectancy has a value of 1.

Motivational Force

Managerial Implications of Expectancy theory

According to Expectancy theory-

Motivation= Valence x Instrumentality x Expectancy

Influence of components in Expectancy theory of motivation

Valence Instrumentality

Expectancy

Motivation

High High High High Low High High

Moderate

High Low High Moderate

Low Low High Low High High Low Low Low High Low Low High Low Low Low Low Low Low Very

Low