Introduction
In the Kellogg’s Case, the writer discusses motivation in places of work by relating theories of motivation to Kellogg’s motivation techniques. Kellogg Company is a leading producer of cereal foods worldwide. It employs people from different disciplines including Engineering, Finance and Marketing. This paper discusses a SWOT analysis of this case study in relation to building a better workplace through motivation.
Strengths
The case study employs classical and neo-classical theories of motivation. This combination captures both traditional and modern theories of motivation. The latter viewed employees as machines motivated by money only while the former viewed human beings as social beings with emotions.
The choice ofKellogg Company is perfect because it has many departments and disciplines which aptly captures employees from a wide range. The case does not limit a reader to thinking that there is a particular way to motivate employees. However, it underscores the need for any company to have values and a culture that employees indentify with and uphold.
Weaknesses
The writer fails to bring a comparative. Kellogg Company is a leader in employee motivation. A comparative from the lower side would paint a better picture of what the writer is explaining. The writer does not put his discussion in an immediate context. Currently, employees are more enlightened and know their rights.
They also demand more work flexibility. The different segments of employees have varying demands on employers but the case does not capture this. These segments include Baby-Boomers, the Y-Generation and women, among others. I also find the case delving into what theories say too much instead of their applicability. The writer should have used little information to discuss theories and focus more on what Kellogg Companydoes to make a workplace better.
Opportunities
The case is interesting in that it allows a reader, who has interest in employee motivation, to draw comparison on how to apply the different theories of motivation from Kellogg. This acts like a benchmark because it is a leader in that area. It is also a starting point in deciding which theories apply to a particular company. Is it Maslow’s Hierarchy, Elton Mayo’s Theory or Herzberg’s Theory?It may be a combination of all of like in Kellogg’s Case.
Threats
The context from which many organizations operate has greatly changed. Employees are more vibrant and demand more from employers. The different segments of employees present an employer with a problem on how to balance demands. Human rights organization and governments are placing demands on employers to make the place of work more pleasant for employees.
All these and the need to be competitive to retain the best workers make some of the theories the writer discusses irrelevant. Businesses are also operating from an environment where decision-making, social responsibility and integrity in profit making define operations.
Conclusion
Employee motivation is critical in the success of any organization. Motivated employees are happier at work. They also perform better. This is especially true when they are intrinsically motivated. In the Kellogg’s Case, the writer’s discussion captures motivation techniques and appropriately relates them to both classical and neo classical theories of motivation. This paper looks at a SWOT analysis of the above Case Study in relation to building a better workplace through motivation.