In his Preface the author' says that he started out to review all the more important theories upon the topics ordinarily discussed under human motivation but soon found himself more and more limited to the presentation of his own point of view. This very well characterizes the book. It is a very personal product. It is an outline with some defense of the author's own thinking about instincts and appetites and sentiments and how they function in human behavior. And as the author draws so heavily upon James and McDougall, especially the latter, the book may well be looked upon as a sort of sequel to their efforts. There is a thought-provoking distinction presented between instinct and appetite. An instinct is said to be aroused always by something in the external situation; and, correspondingly, an appetite is said to be aroused by sensations from within the body itself. This places, of course, a heavy emphasis upon the cognitive factor in all instinctive behaviors; and the author prefers to use the cognitive factor, especially the knowledge of that end-experience which will satisfy, as a means of differentiating one instinct from another. In this there is a recognized difference from McDougall who placed more emphasis for differentiation upon the emotional accompaniment. The list of instincts arrived at by this procedure is much like that of McDougall, although the author is forced by his criteria to present the possibility of food-seeking and sex and sleep operating both in the manner of an appetite and also as an instinct. The Shand-McDougall concept of sentiment is taken over and used in the explanation of moral motivation. There is the development within each personality of a sentiment for some moral principle. But this sentiment is not a very powerful motivating factor. It is reinforced by social pressures and by religion, which is treated as an effort of finite man to live in harmony with the infinite reality. Those whose psychological thinking is largely in terms of McDougall will doubtless find this volume a very satisfying expansion; but those who are at all inclined to support their psychological thinking by reference to experimental studies will not be so well pleased. The James-Lange theory, for example, is discussed without mention of the many experimental studies which it has provoked. Theoretical sources appear in general to be preferred to experimental investigations.

Human MotivationThe Mind in Action: A Study of Motives and Values. A. Campbell Garnett

Examines the motivation for achievement as a psychological factor that shapes economic development. Refuting arguments based on race, climate, or population growth, the book instead argues for cultural customs and motivations - especially the motivation for achievement - as the major catalysts of economic growth. Considering the Protestant Reformation, the rise of capitalism, parents' influences on sons, and folklore and children's stories as shaping cultural motivations for achievement, the book hypothesizes that a high level of achievement motivation precedes economic growth. This is supported through qualitative analysis of the achievement motive, as well as of other psychological factors - including entrepreneurial behavior and characteristics, and available sources of achievement in past and present highly achieving societies. It is the achievement motive - and not merely the profit motive or the desire for material gain - that has advanced societies economically. Consequently, individuals are not merely products of their environment, as many social scientists have asserted, but also creators of the environment, as they manipulate it in various ways in the search for achievement. Finally, a plan is hypothesized to accelerate economic growth in developing countries, by encouraging and supplementing their achievement motives through mobilizing the greater achievement resources of developed countries. The conclusion is not just that motivations shape economic progress, but that current influences on future people's motivations and values will determine economic growth in the long run. Thus, it is most beneficial for a society to concentrate its resources on creating an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and a strong ideological base for achievement. (CJC)

The Achieving Society

Leading change: Overcoming the ideology of comfort and the tyranny of custom

Competitor-oriented objectives, such as market-share targets, are promoted by academics and are commonly used by firms. A 1996 review of the evidence, summarized in this paper, found that competitor-oriented objectives reduced profitability. We describe new evidence from 12 studies, one of which is introduced in this paper. The new evidence supports the conclusion that competitor-oriented objectives are harmful, especially when managers receive information about competitors’ market shares. The evidence appears to have had little effect on managers’ decisions and on what is taught in business schools.

/pdf/competitor-oriented-objectives-the-myth-of-market-share-rstl58ho8t.pdf

Competitor-oriented Objectives: The Myth of Market Share

Competitor-oriented objectives, such as market-share targets, are promoted by academics and are commonly used by firms. A 1996 review of the evidence, summarized in this paper, found that competitor-oriented objectives reduced profitability. We describe new evidence from 12 studies, one of which is introduced in this paper. The new evidence supports the conclusion that competitor-oriented objectives are harmful, especially when managers receive information about competitors' market shares. The evidence appears to have had little effect on managers' decisions and on what is taught in business schools.

Competitor-Oriented Objectives: Myth of Market Share

We conducted quantitative case analysis of inflation-adjusted profitability and relative market value at General Electric over a half-century, to examine the influence of Jack Welch and others as CEO and of various strategic and environmental factors. Over the first decade of Welch's leadership, there was no improvement in GE's real ROE. However, there was market value increase, and later there were improvements in both measures due to declining competition. Over 90% of variances in real profitability and comparative market value were explained using measures often considered in strategy--changes in competitive environment, leadership and corporate culture, labor relations and plant closings, and economic and financial environments. It appears that systematic appraisal of corporations can aid understanding of factors that determine profitability and market value.

General Electric Performance Over a Half Century: Evaluation of Effects of Leadership and Other Strategic Factors by Quantitative Case Analysis

We conducted quantitative case analysis of inflation-adjusted profitability and relative market value at General Electric over a half-century, to examine the influence of Jack Welch and others as CEO and of various strategic and environmental factors. Over the first decade of Welch's leadership, there was no improvement in GE's real ROE. However, there was market value increase, and later there were improvements in both measures due to declining competition. Over 90% of variances in real profitability and comparative market value were explained using measures often considered in strategychanges in competitive environment, leadership and corporate culture, labor relations and plant closings, and economic and financial environments. It appears that systematic appraisal of corporations can aid understanding of factors that determine profitability and market value.

/pdf/general-electric-performance-over-a-half-century-evaluation-35opc457uz.pdf

General Electric Performance over a Half Century: Evaluation of Effects of Leadership and Other Strategic Factors by Quantitative Case Analysis

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General Electric Performance Over a Half Century: Evaluation of Effects of Leadership and Other Strategic Factors by Quantitative Case Analysis

General Electric Performance over a Half Century: Evaluation of Effects of Leadership and Other Strategic Factors by Quantitative Case Analysis