Target-driven workplaces drive down employee motivation, says study

Date: 15/11/2010

Employee motivation suffers in performance-related environments, according to research.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has produced a report which shows that while targets are a "useful means to motivate and assess the performance of staff", focussing on this too much may result in lack of employee motivation.

Based on an online survey of 236 accountants, it also suggests that staff will take "undesirable actions" to reach goals within a target-driven workplace, as when working against time constraints workers tend to cut corners.

Called 'the use and consequences of performance management and control systems', the survey focussed on a UK accountancy firm and echoes advice from reward and recognition expert Adam Dachis.

Mr Dachis said that although money has always been seen as a major motivator, it does not necessarily drive staff to perform well.

"When it comes to creative work, external motivations are just not cutting it. Money doesn't inspire better performance," Mr Dachis wrote for lifehacker.com.

Posted by Elizabeth Mewes 

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