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I am
writing a paper about incentives at the workplace. I am a student of psychology from
Colombia, for that reason I need some information or internet links, about intangible
incentives (or laboral rewards in psychology) and the most known procedures for its
application. I am specifically interested in how this applies to the Latino-American
culture.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Signed,
The Writer
Dear Writer:
Intangible incentives are those that don't mean money, right? So what might appeal to employees in a Latin American culture? Psychic needs are universal, but cultural values can modify what is motivating.
Geert Hofstede, who studied employees in 60 different countries as is reported in his text Cultures Consequences, found Latin cultures to be high in masculine values, high in respect and tolerance for power of those who manage, low in tolerance for uncertainty, and low in individuality. These cultural phenomena might provide a lens through which incentives may be viewed more clearly.
My suggestion for your study of workplace incentives is to begin by doing informational interviews of those employed at every level within a number of workplaces. Ask what motivates and what does and does not work. To aid these interviews, you might prepare a checklist of incentives and ask your respondents to rate these incentives by circling a rating from this type of scale:
motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating
To compose such a list, brainstorm with a focus group of employees in different kinds of jobs and different organizations, or at least with several of your friends. List all ideas such as:
| A parking place near the plant | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| Free tuition to a night course | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| A personal day off work | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| A gift of flowers from your lover | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| A trophy or plaque for achievement | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| Being guest of honor at a dinner | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| Tickets to a football game | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| Given a higher title | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| Being asked for your opinion | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
| Given training to learn another job | motivating 1 2 3 4 5 not motivating |
Your study of incentives undoubtedly will look at various levels of needs and wants that range from recognition to self- actualization. In addition to getting clues to the answer of your question by studying the questions and answers on our home page, you might use the search engines of the internet. Plug in the words "incentives," "motivation," and "workplace." You will also find many articles on the Business Index. One book you might find of help is titled 1000 Ways to Reward Employees; it can be purchased through Amazon.com. Send me what you learn, please.
WEGO motivates not so much by external incentives as by being listened to.
--Dr. William Gorden