Motivation is the inner state that causes an individual to behave in a way that ensures the accomplishment of some goal.2 In other words, motivation explains why people act as they do.3 The better a manager understands organization members’ behavior, the more able that manager will be in influencing subordinates’ behavior to make it work toward the accomplishment of organizational objectives. Because productivity is a result of the behavior of organization members, motivating organization members is the key to reaching organizational goals.4

Several motivation theories have been proposed over the years. Most of these theories can be categorized into two basic types: process theories and content theories. A process theory of motivation is an explanation of motivation that emphasizes how individuals are motivated. Process theories focus, essentially, on the steps that occur when an individual is motivated. A content theory of motivation is an explanation of motivation that emphasizes people’s internal characteristics. Content theories focus on understanding what needs people have and how those needs can be satisfied. For years, industrial and organizational (I/O) psychologists have worked to integrate the many theories of motivation and identify where each has an effect in the motivation process.5

The following sections discuss important process and content theories of motivation and establish a relationship between them that should prove useful to managers in motivating organization members.