Written for human resources and training professionals, this book addresses a recurring problem for managers and corporations: how can we efficiently, cost effectively, and humanely motivate employees to work at or near their top potential? Arguing that opportunities to heighten employee motivation are often missed when managers rely on overly simplistic theories of human motivation, Grant develops his own multifaceted Effort-Net Return Model and offers a sampling of over 200 prescriptions for motivating employees that can be derived from the model. The model itself is based upon four basic principles, each grounded in research and each of which has supporting propositions which determine the motivational prescription to be employed. Because the motivational prescriptions indicated can be easily tailored to the recipient's own personal value system, the model is applicable across a broad spectrum of employee groups.

Grant introduces and describes the Effort-Net Return Model in Chapter One, demonstrating its superiority over previous models which rely on the application of restrictive formulas and constructs to determine motivational strategies. The next four chapters address in turn each of the four principles upon which the model is based and their supporting propositions. In these chapters, Grant also provides a representative inventory of the kinds of avenues managers can pursue to enhance employee motivation. Throughout, Grant emphasizes the impact of individual differences on the end results to be expected from a given motivational prescription, cautioning the reader to take these differences into account when beginning to put together a motivational plan. The final chapter presents real-world case problems, together with analyses and suggested prescriptive packages, to enable the reader to move from theory to actual practice. Numerous exercises and application instruments are also included to help the manager apply the Effort-Net Return Model in the workplace.

Designed as a specialized, practical reference for human resources professionals and students, this book fully explains both how to prepare and how to use job descriptions. The author breaks new ground by identifying a more extensive array of uses for job descriptions than in previous works on the subject--132 major management uses are discussed. Particular attention is given to gathering data for job descriptions and developing task/responsibility categories as an aid to understanding the design of work. Sample job descriptions are included to illustrate points made in the text. The author demonstrates the numerous ways in which job descriptions can help management make better decisions in each of the core areas of human resource management--job design, reward system design, employee staffing, employee training, and performance control. In addition, Grant addresses in detail the many typical problems organizations have with job description preparation and use, offering a wealth of suggestions for avoiding these common pitfalls.

Finally, the book shows that the design of jobs can be accurately depicted by job descriptions if attention is given to key unconventional types of information such as task times and priorities, non-work and semi-work activity, and unplanned work. An especially valuable feature is the Appendix section which contains model forms and questionnaires, log sheets, lists of objectives, rules, regulations, policies, and more. Indispensable for personnel administrators and specialists, this book is also a unique and useful management tool for department and division heads throughout the organization.

Drawing on over 30 years of consulting experience and a multi-disciplinary background, Philip Grant challenges conventional wisdom on managing performance in organizations. The topics that he addresses include job and organizational design, employee motivation, the integration of behavioral and economic theories, the diagnosis of performance problems, and the synthesis of operations management models. Each chapter focuses on a particular innovative aspect of his model while the appendix provides information for the practical application of the ideas presented in the text. Innovations in Management Thinking will enlighten readers and give them the tools for individual and organizational success.