Concerning the Non-application of Human Motivation Theories in Organizational Settings

Abstract

The article refers to management scientist C. C. Pinder and his view that applying human motivation theory to industrial settings is unethical. Pinder suggests that, where there is no organizational code of ethics, dysfunctional consequences can result from the widespread application of motivation theories. He proposed a code of ethics where probing values and manipulating employee behavior are unethical and motivation theories are required to have a minimum level of validity. Pinder also criticized Valence-Instrumentality-Expectancy, or VIE, theory and did not fully consider the relative utility philosophy.