Expectancy Value Theory: Motivating Healthcare Workers

Vroom’s expectancy theory provides a process of cognitive variables that reflects individual differences in work motivation. In this model, employees are rational people whose beliefs, perceptions, and probability estimates influence their behaviors. From a management perspective, the expectancy theory has some important implications for motivating employees in healthcare setting. It identifies several important things that can be done to motivate employees. The paper presents the results of an empirical study in three government-funded hospitals in Italy, by applying this theory. In fact the survey focuses on the factors affecting the level of motivation of medical and nursing staff, such as expectancy, valence, instrumentality, and on their satisfaction.