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VSRD International Journal of Business and Management Research, Vol.

IIIIssue XI November 2013 / 481


e-ISSN : 2231-248X, p-ISSN : 2319-2194 © VSRD International Journals : www.vsrdjournals.com

RESEARCH ARTICLE

MOTIVATION TECHNIQUES USE TO


ACHIEVE STAFF PERFORMANCE : A STUDY OF
HOTEL “THE SURYAA”, NEW DELHI
1Nitin Gupta* and 2Kapil Garg
1Research Scholar, 2Research Supervisor, 1,2Department of Management Studies,
Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, INDIA.
*Corresponding Author : lovelynitinkansal@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The hotel industry is a significant part of the tourism industry worldwide and its employees play a key role in delivering the service to
customers. The motivation of employees, whether professional, skilled or unskilled, is a major issue in all service organizations. For
the hotel industry, employee motivation is a major issue. It is a challenge for the hotel industry to motivate employees, to stay on the
job, and to offer the efficient, good service which customers expect. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of money as a
motivational factor for hotel employees.

The purpose of this research paper is to know the motivational techniques used by Hotel “The Suryaa”, New Delhi. In our paper we
focus on how management in this industry, motivate their employees to achieve the desired performance through motivating its people.
Initially we tell about “The Suryaa” Hotel, and then it will be followed by the research methodology used in this research. We used the
interview method for this research. Then gathered data from the interview will be analyzed and a conclusion will be made on behalf of
it.

Keywords : Motivation, techniques, Professional, Skilled.

1. INTRODUCTION the proper motivation intervention may not be provided


Employee motivation is one of the major issues faced by by the hotel organizations. Through this research,
every organization. It is the major task of every manager researchers would like to know that what strategies or
to motivate his subordinates or to create the ‘will to work’ techniques are used by the management of The Suryaa
among the subordinates. It should also be remembered hotel in New Delhi to motivate their employees.
that a worker may be immensely capable of doing some
work; nothing can be achieved if he is not willing to
work. A manager has to make appropriate use of 3. RESEARCH QUESTION
motivation to enthuse the employees to follow them.  What are the techniques of management to bring out
the best of the employees?
Motivation is essential to nearly all behaviour at work.  What employees get if they do well in their job?
However, it is easy to define. Motivation can be thought
of as the force that drives behaviour. In other words it can
4. ABOUT THE SURYAA HOTEL
be considered as both the powerhouse behind behaviour, The Suryaa, New Delhi with its host of facilities and
and also a person’s reasons for doing something (or services is designed to meet your every business need and
nothing). Motivation involves both feelings (emotions) is now a part of Summit Hotels and Resorts, a division of
and thinking (cognition).
the Preferred Hotel Group, a global leader in the
“Motivation, formally defined, is the individual forces hospitality industry.
that account for the direction, level, and persistence of a The hotel opened its doors in October 1982 with the
person’s effort expended at work”. Ninth Asian Games being hosted in the capital. It has
Despite the economic breakdown, the hotel industry previously been associated with several International
maintained a good growth rate. The Suryaa hotel, the Hotel groups - The Accor group, The Best Western
focus of this paper, was successful to shun losses. The International and Intercontinental Hotel's Group.
managers certainly satisfied the “motivational” needs of
Lying in the heart of New Delhi, a mere 40 minutes’
their subordinates in order to achieve performance and
drive from the International Airport & adjacent to Delhi's
maintain growth.
business districts - Nehru Place, Pragati Maidan - the
International Trade Fair venue and Okhla & Noida
2. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Promotion Zones.
The success of The Suryaa Hotel is mainly due to its
people, i.e. the staff. Now a day’s major problem of hotel The hotel is in close proximity to the world renowned
industry is high staff turnover. Reason behind this is that Apollo Hospital & the Escorts Heart Institute. Shopping
arcade and other recreation facilities are within walking
Nitin Gupta and Kapil Garg VSRDIJBMR, Vol. III (XI) November 2013 / 482

distance from the hotel. knowledge that we cannot be fired on a


whim and that appropriate levels of effort
Technologically advanced conferencing facilities, and productivity will ensure continued
customized meetings services and in-room business employment.
amenities create ideal setting for the quintessential  Social needs include the need for belongingness and
business traveler. love.
o Generally, as gregarious creatures, human
The hotel has recently received ISO 22000: 2005 have a need to belong. In the workplace, this
certification from SGS - Societe Generale de need may be satisfied by an ability to
Surveillance, Switzerland for the Food Safety interact with one's coworkers and perhaps to
Management System on the premises. be able to work collaboratively with these
colleagues.
The 242 well-appointed guestrooms and suites are
o After social needs have been satisfied, ego
elegantly designed and the delectable dining options,
and esteem needs become the motivating
technologically advanced conferencing features, exquisite
needs.
recreation facilities as well as warm and attentive service
o Esteem needs include the desire for self-
are just some of the things that make The Suryaa, New
respect, self-esteem, and the esteem of
Delhi a preferred destination.
others. When focused externally, these
needs also include the desire for reputation,
5. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY prestige, status, fame, glory, dominance,
In order to conduct this study, the researchers arranged an recognition, attention, importance, and
interview with Mr. Yash Raghav, Training Manager of appreciation.
The Suryaa Hotel, New Delhi. MR. Raghav has 11 years’ o The highest need in Maslow's hierarchy is
experience in hospitality industry and it has been 7 that of self-actualization; the need for self-
months since he joined “The Suryaa” Hotel. realization, continuous self-development,
and the process of becoming all that a
Prior to joining “The Suryaa” Hotel, Mr. Raghav has person is capable of becoming.
worked in Sarover Portico Hotel, Ghaziabad, Country
INN & Suites, Ahmedabad, Air Sahara, TajSats and The Alderfer's Hierarchy of Motivational Needs: Clayton
Oberoi Flight catering, New Delhi. Alderferre worked Maslow's Need Hierarchy to align it
more closely with empirical research. Alderfer's theory is
called the ERG theory -- Existence, Relatedness, and
6. MOTIVATIONAL THEORIES Growth.
Maslow’s-Hierarchy of Needs Theory: This theory was  Existence refers to our concern with basic material
proposed by Abraham Maslow and is based on the existence requirements; what Maslow called
assumption that people are motivated by a series of five physiological and safety needs.
universal needs. These needs are ranked, according to the  Relatedness refers to the desire we have for
order in which they influence human behavior, in maintaining interpersonal relationships; similar to
hierarchical fashion Maslow's social/love need, and the external
 Physiological needs are deemed to be the lowest- component of his esteem need.
level needs. These needs include the needs such as  Growth refers to an intrinsic desire for personal
food & water. development; the intrinsic component of Maslow's
o So long as physiological needs are esteem need, and self-actualization
unsatisfied, they exist as a driving or
motivating force in a person's life. A hungry Alderfer's ERG theory differs from Maslow's Need
person has a felt need. This felt need sets up Hierarchy in so far as ERG theory demonstrates that more
both psychological and physical tensions than one need may be operative at the same time. ERG
that manifest themselves in overt behaviors theory does not assume a rigid hierarchy where a lower
directed at reducing those tensions (getting need must be substantially satisfied before one can move
something to eat). Once the hunger is sated, on.
the tension is reduced, and the need for food
ceases to motivate. At this point (assuming Alderfer also deals with frustration-regression. That is, if
that other physiological requirements are a higher-order need is frustrated, an individual then seeks
also satisfied) the next higher order need to increase the satisfaction of a lower-order need.
becomes the motivating need.
 Safety needs -- the needs for shelter and security -- According to Maslow an individual would stay at a
become the motivators of human behavior. certain need level until that need was satisfied. ERG
o Safety needs include a desire for security, theory counters by noting that when a higher- order need
stability, dependency, protection, freedom level is frustrated the individual’s desire to increase a
from fear and anxiety, and a need for lower- level need takes place. Inability to satisfy a need
structure, order, and law. In the workplace for social interaction, for instance, might increase the
this needs translates into a need for at least a desire for more money or better working conditions. So
minimal degree of employment security; the frustration can lead to a regression to a lower need.
Nitin Gupta and Kapil Garg VSRDIJBMR, Vol. III (XI) November 2013 / 483

In summary, ERG theory argues, like Maslow, that efforts when they face challenges.
satisfied lower- order needs lead to the desire to satisfy
higher-order needs; but multiple needs can be operating
as motivators at the same time, and frustration in 7. MOTIVATION TECHNIQUES USED IN
attempting to satisfy a higher- level need can result in HOTEL INDUSTRY
regression to a lower- level need. As per a note on an internet website, there’s no secret
formula, no set calculation, no work sheet to fill out. In
Theory of “X” and Theory of “Y” : Douglas McGregor fact, motivation can be as individual as the employees
observed two diametrically opposing viewpoints of who work for you. One employee may be motivated only
managers about their employees, one is negative called by money; another may appreciate personal recognition
“Theory of X” and one is positive called “Theory of Y” for a job well done. There are many motivational factors
that can be used to encourage employees to work:
a) Theory of X: Following are the assumptions of
managers who believe in the “Theory of X” in regard to Wages and Salaries
their employees.
 Employees dislike work; if possible avoid the same Bohlander, Snell, and Sherman (2001)in his extensive
 Employees must be coerced, controlled or threatened review of the literature indicates that important work-
related variables leading to job satisfaction include
to do the work
challenging work, interesting job assignments, equitable
 Employees avoid responsibilities and seek formal
rewards, competent supervision, and rewarding careers. It
direction
is doubtful, however, whether many employees would
 Most employees consider security of job, most continue working were it not for the money they earn.
important of all other factors in the job and have very Employees desire compensation systems that they
little ambition perceive as being fair and commensurate with their skills
and expectations. Pay, therefore, is a major consideration
b) Theory of Y: Following are the assumptions of
managers who believe in the “Theory of Y” in regard to in human resource management because it provides
employees with a tangible reward for their services.
their employees.
 Employees love work as play or rest Stone (1982) indicated that people are motivated by
 Employees are self-directed and self-controlled and money for many different reasons. The need to provide
committed to the organizational objectives the basic necessities of life motivates most people. Some
 Employees accept and seek responsibilities people think of money as instrumental to satisfying
 Innovative spirit is not confined to managers alone, noneconomic needs such as power, status and affiliations
some employees also possess it. with desired groups. Money is often viewed as a symbol
of personal success and achievement.
Theory of X assumes Maslow’s lower level needs
dominate in employees. Whereas Theory of Y, assumes Many factors affect how wages and salaries are set. The
Maslow’s higher level needs dominate in employees. factors depend on area of living, the labor market,
minimum wages and other governmental regulations, the
Goal Setting Theory : Edwin Locke proposed that cost of living, the ability of the employer to pay, the
setting specific goals will improve motivation. Salient worth of the job and the presence of a collective
features of this theory are the following: bargaining agreement. Pay rates can be adjusted to help
 Specific goal fixes the needs of resources and efforts employees cope with their living situations (Drummond,
 It increases performance 1990).
 Difficult goals result higher performance than easy
job Advancement Opportunities
 Better feedback of results leads to better to better
performance than lack of feedback. Depending upon the size and scope of an operation,
 Participation of employees in goal has mixed result advancement opportunities may play a significant role in
 Participation of setting goal, however, increases the motivation of employees. There are several things you
acceptance of goal and involvements. might be able to do to utilize such opportunities to your
 Goal setting theory has identified two factors which advantage.
influences the performance. These are given below;
By promoting from within, employees of your
o Goal commitment
organization know that you are willing to provide them
o Self efficiency
with chances to succeed and better themselves as well as
 Goal Commitment : Goal setting theory that loyalty from them breeds loyalty from you, and vice
presupposes that the individual is committed to the versa. It is important that when you promote from within,
goal. This commitment depends on the following: however, that applicants are fully aware of the standards
o Goals are made public to be met, and that they are given a fair opportunity for
o Individual has an internal locus of control the role. Playing favorites with employees can be a good
o Goals are self-set way to destroy motivation to succeed in the workplace.
 Self –Efficiency : Self Efficiency is the belief or
self-confidence, that he/she is capable of performing And finally, when it comes to advancement opportunities,
task. Persons with high self-efficiency put up extra- it is important to follow through.
Nitin Gupta and Kapil Garg VSRDIJBMR, Vol. III (XI) November 2013 / 484

Incentives employees’ benefits. However, a benefits program should


meet the objective of motivating employees. A good
Incentives or an incentive program can play a huge part benefits program will allow employees to share their idea
of successful workplace motivation. Most any type of by doing surveys or other methods and organizations
incentive program will likely have to be tailored to your should accept their ideas to improve benefits. Employers
specific business and employees. However, to ensure that should also periodically review the benefits program to be
your incentives work to actually motivate employees, it sure that it is meeting employees’ needs. The categories
can be critical that an incentive program is well- of benefits contain a list of basic employee’s benefits
structured, includes desirable incentives, includes all provided by organizations (Drummond, 1990).
pertinent employees, and maybe most importantly, is
well-communicated and consistent. There are varieties of employee benefits:
 Health insurance: Health insurance is the most
Training common benefit in the U.S. in 1983, the most
expensive benefit for employers to pay was Social
Powers and Barrows (1999) noted how training Security pay for retirement. In 1988, health insurance
becomes an important activity for any hospitality became the most expensive benefit, largely because
organization. Training provides on-the-job experiences health care costs have been increasing dramatically
and information that help employees become more since 1965. One result of this has been that more
proficient or qualified at a task at their current jobs. organizations are shifting part of the cost of health
Training deals with the “hows” – how to be a better insurance onto the employees. By far a majority of
manager. A well trained group of employees should result employers in the United States offer health insurance
in a reduction of costs, stress, turnover, and absenteeism to their employees (Drummond, 1990).
and a corresponding increase in efficiency and customer  Vacations with pay: It is generally agreed that
satisfaction (Mill, 1998). Steven Hickey, senior vice vacations are essential to the well-being of an
president of T.G.I Friday’s, noted “training is probably employee. Eligibility for vacations varies by
the most important aspect of reduced turnover because it organizations, locale, and size. To qualify for longer
minimizes mistakes and that minimizes a lot of reasons vacations of three, four, or five weeks, one may
for turnover” (Powers and Barrows, 1999). expect to work for seven, fifteen and twenty years,
respectively. A new benefit offered by 11 % of 1,000
Training is important because of changing technology
employers surveyed nationwide allows employees to
and markets. Managers and employees need to update
“buy” an extra week of vacation. The cost to
their skills through training. Training programs can be
employees is a lost week of pay, making the extra
addressed in many ways such as classroom lectures,
vacation period simply time off without pay.
problem-solving case analysis and interactive role-plays
Vacation buying programs appeal to relatively new
(Yu, 1999).
employees who haven’t acquired the time for longer
Powers and Barrows (1999) stated that the alternative to vacation periods. This benefit also favors employees
training or no training might be more expensive. Training who need extra time to care for aging parents or
does cost a lot of but no training means poor service and those simply wishing to extend a vacation period
lost customers. So the lost revenue from poor services far (Bohlander, Snell and Sherman, 2001).
exceeds the cost of training employees properly.  Pension: Pension is deferred income that employees
accumulate during their working lives and that
Conrade, Woods and Ninemeier (1994) asked belongs to them after a specified number of years of
participating employees about the influence of training on service. Since the passage of the Social Security Act,
their performance. Ninety three percent indicated that pension plans have been used to supplement Social
training programs that improved their skills, knowledge, Security benefits. Pensions were originally used as a
and behavior would encourage them to stay at a company. way of retaining employees and rewarding them for
staying with the organization until retirement. Thus,
Fringe Benefits employees who quit or who were terminated before
retirement were considered ineligible for the pension
Fringe benefits are a complement to wages of workplace “award” (Jerris, 1999).
compensation. The fringe benefits for the workers in
hospitality organizations help the operation by having a Meals: In many hospitality operations, employees receive
positive, motivating work climate, increases in one free meal per daily shift and an unlimited amount of
productivity, sales, profitability, excellent quality and coffee and soft drinks. At Subway, for example,
cost control. Money is an important factor to motivate employees can eat for free in the company’s cafeteria;
employees but today, fringe benefits become equal to Most hotels also serve meals in the employees’ cafeteria
money as an important role to motivate employees. So an and do not permit employees to use food and beverage
essential part of learning to lead managers is to outlets at their place of employment (Jerris, 1999).
understand better the conditions which an employee
needs the most to perform the best job (Drummond, Communication
1990).
Within a hospitality organization, communication is
Each year, organizations have a lot of expense from important for passing along information from one
individual or group to another. Communication can be in
Nitin Gupta and Kapil Garg VSRDIJBMR, Vol. III (XI) November 2013 / 485

several ways such as verbal, nonverbal, upward, and If it’s not good enough for managers, it should be
downward. Lack of good communication causes low consider not good enough for line employees.
productivity, poor service, and increased costs
(Drummond, 1990). Therefore, Cheng (1995) noted that a good working
environment means employees want the same conditions
The success of managers is determined by the jobs their in their work lives as management. They need challenge,
employees do. Since motivated employees are more support from superiors, a quality workplace, friendly co-
productive, managers must have a clear interest in workers and respect. To have a good working
knowing what motivates their staff. Communication is environment, managers have to trust them and value
one of many factors to motivate employees into a them. When they fail, they must know that the manager
cohesive working module which results in objectives will have a defined process to help them get back on
being achieved (Morgan, 1990). track. Finally, managers need to listen to them and accept
their workplace ideas.
Types of Communication

Wheelhouse (1989) stated that communication could 8. ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION


occur in many ways both formal and informal. Normally, When an interview was conducted with Training
it falls into three categories: downward communication, Manager of Hotel “The Suryaa”, New Delhi, following
upward communication, and lateral communication. findings came in to existence:
 Downward communication: Downward  The hotel uses several motivating techniques to boost
communication is occurs from higher levels in an the employee’s motivation.
organization to lower levels. It is mostly of an  Besides paying them fair wages, Hotel provides free
informative or directive nature. Communication meals to their employees.
between managers to subordinates is the sample of  Employees of Hotel “The Suryaa” get the facility of
downward communication. The other channels of free laundry.
downward communication used by managers are  Social events such as Christmas party and quiz night,
policy manuals, employee handbooks, newsletters, or Staff parties are organized by the hotel
magazines, memoranda, annual reports, posters and management for their employees which create a good
bulletin boards. Each item should have a specific environment within the staff members.
purpose and be written clearly.  Employees are recognized for their contributions and
 Upward communication: The greatest performance in the organization. They get to
communication is upward communication according socialize between each other and develop a sense of
to Cheng (1995). Upward communication is the belongingness to one family, which will hence create
communication that comes from the lower level to love and affection.
the top level such as from the employees to the  Recognition and increment in salary satisfies the
managers. The sample of upward communication basic need of the employees. The hotel succeeds in
includes the suggestion box, employees satisfaction realizing motivation, according to Maslow, through
survey, open-door policy, management-employee achieving growth needs, which are raising self-
meetings, and exit interviews. The managers should esteem, and hence lead to self-actualization. This
accept new ideas even offbeat, without anger. They occurs when the employee fulfills himself and uses
should encourage more frankness from their his abilities to fullest and most creative extent.
employees and make themselves more accessible.  On the other hand, Frederick Herzberg argues that
 Lateral communication: Lateral communication is the hotel meeting the hygiene factors, although
the interchange of information and ideas among all necessary, does not guarantee the occurrence of
sectors of organization or people at the same level. motivator factors. For example, Mr. Raghav
Effective lateral communication is an essential discloses that there are some employees who are not
element of teamwork. Without this interchange, the happy with their job and cannot fit in the
structure of the organization would be no different organization, though they are well paid. A fair or
from an office building and all employees working high salary is a hygiene factor, when it is not met the
independently. Usually, a hospitality organization is member is dissatisfied.
a group of people working together for the most  When the member gets the job that he wants, he does
satisfaction of guests. well. If you put a chef in housekeeping, he will not
do the job even if you pay him the same. Also,
Good Working Environment growth expectations allow the employee to set long-
term goals and make him consider his organization
Wheelhouse (1989) noted that the working environment
as part of his career path and not a temporary job.
can often be a cause of low productivity. Employees need
Thus, because the hotel did not only focus on the
adequate equipment, space, heating, lighting and
hygiene factors but it also stresses the motivator
ventilation. Color also has a significant impact on the
factors it created a sustainable level of motivation,
work environment. Restrooms and lockers need to be
and hence customer satisfaction.
clean, secure, and well maintained. The food provided
 The HR department extends its efforts in listening to
should be the same for line employees as for the
employees, to creating an appraisal system and
managers. Managers, including top executives, should be
encouraging frequent chats between staff. The
expected to eat at the cafeteria except when entertaining.
Nitin Gupta and Kapil Garg VSRDIJBMR, Vol. III (XI) November 2013 / 486

appraisal system is a performance review that applies usually the main obstacle that affects their
to most employees. Both the employee and his motivation, The Suryaa Hotel can provide
manager have to prepare for it before doing it. consultancy services, where employees can talk
 There are awards such as the employee of the about their personal problems with a psychologist.
month, or manager of the year. This raises the
individual’s self-esteem, prestige and respect from
others. It also makes him conscious of his sense of 11.REFERENCES
[1] Wheelhouse, D. (1989). Managing Human Resources in
competence and mastery. the Hospitality Industry. East Lansing, MI: Educational
 In Suryaa Hotel, it is the duty of the management to Institute American Hotel & Motel Association
make employees aware about the values, the goals, [2] Bohlander, G., Snell, S. and Sherman, A. (2001).
and the culture of the hotel. When they are clear Managing Human Resources. Cincinnati, OH: South-
about the rewards, what to do to get a reward, and Western College Publishing
how to do it, they make their way to achieve it. Thus, [3] Conrade, G., Wood, R. and Ninemeier, J. (1994). Training
they build their motivation to reach their rewards. in the U.S. Lodging Industry: Perception and Reality.
Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 35
(10), 16-21
9. CONCLUSION [4] Drummond, K. E. (1990). Human Resource Management
The Suryaa Hotel encompasses many prominent qualities. for the Hospitality Industry. New York, NY: Van Nostrand
Reinhold
These include forming a friendly environment,
[5] Jerris, A. L. (1999). Human Resource Management for
encouraging progress and updating exposure to the global Hospitality. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
world. Yet, the key to its success is a motivated [6] Powers, T. and Barrows, C. W. (1999). Introduction to
workforce who is culturally diverse and abides by an Management in the Hospitality Industry. New York, NY:
international management style. The Hotel’s rewards John Wiley and Sons, Inc
bring staff the sense of belongingness and relevance. [7] Stone, T. H. (1982). Understanding Personnel
Though, there may be certain problems regarding the Management. New York, NY: CBS College Publishing
motivational intervention, as few of the employees are [8] How to Increase Hotel Staff Motivation by Dave Samuels,
not happy with their job but The Suryaa hotel’s HR Demand Media through website
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/factors-lack-motivation-
department doing well for their employees. HR
workplace-11550.html
department of The Suryaa Hotel is using several [9] http://www.inc.com/guides/hr/20776.html
motivating techniques to boost the employee’s [10] Theories of Human Motivation (2004) BBC, Available:
motivation. http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2860346
[11] About the Hotel, http:/www.thesuryaa.com

10.RECOMMENDATIONS
After critically analyzing the management style in Suryaa
Hotel, the group was able to identify the strengths and the
weaknesses. Thus, we would like to recommend the
following:
 Repeat business is critical for hotels, because repeat
customers require no marketing costs — they come
back based on their prior experience. HR of Suryaa
Hotel can motivate their staff to provide consistently
high levels of performance, especially during
conferences and conventions, by paying a bonus tied
to the hotel’s bookings. The more rooms that is
booked each week, the higher the bonus for hotel
staff.
 They could provide employees that have worked for
them for over 5 years with a pension scheme. Thus,
this would increase their performance level in the
long-run.
 Hotel can use its’ empty rooms to reward staff
members for excellent performance, yearly
employment anniversaries or a birthday perk. Hotel
will only have cleaning costs associated with this
reward, but if you give these room bonuses using
unsold inventory, you won’t lose revenue.
 Hotel management should create an environment
where staff members of different departments can
interact to know each other to develop a sense of
team. Management can also ask staff for feedback,
which makes them feel that you value them and
creates more loyalty.
 In addition, as the employee’s personal lives are

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