NCJ Number
2861
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 37 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1970) Pages: 46-50
Date Published
1970
Length
5 pages
Annotation
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE THEORIES AND VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE VIEWPOINTS REGARDING EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION ARE PRESENTED ALONG WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PARTICIPATIVE MANAGEMENT TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.
Abstract
THERE IS SOME CONCERN ABOUT POLICE PRODUCTIVITY; IT SEEMS POLICE ARE UNWILLING TO PUT FORTH ANY MORE THAN MINIMUM EFFORT, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE WELL PAID AND HAVE GOOD FRINGE BENEFITS AND JOB SECURITY. THE PROBLEM CAN BE EXPLAINED BY A 'HIERARCHY OF NEEDS.' AS SOON AS ONE HUMAN NEED IS SATISFIED, ANOTHER APPEARS IN ITS PLACE. WHEN ONE'S PHYSICAL, SAFETY, AND SOCIAL NEEDS ARE FULFILLED, ONE BEGINS TO CONCENTRATE ON EGO NEEDS. IF CONTENT WITH PRESENT ATTAINMENTS, ONE THUS HAS NO MORE PERSONAL GOALS TO STRIVE FOR AND BECOMES FRUSTRATED AND UNMOTIVATED, A SITUATION WHICH CAUSES PROBLEMS FOR ADMINISTRATORS. POLICE MANAGERS MUST REALIZE THAT TODAY'S OFFICERS, UNLIKE THOSE OF A PREVIOUS ERA, DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL OR SOCIAL NEEDS, AND THEY FEEL AN INCREASING NEED TO ASSERT THEIR INDIVIDUALITY. ADMINISTRATORS MUST GEAR MANAGEMENT CONTROL TO THE NEEDS OF MODERN OFFICERS. TWO BASIC ADMINISTRATIVE VIEWPOINTS ON EMPLOYEES ARE SUMMARIZED. ONE IS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE AVERAGE HUMAN BEING HAS AN INHERENT DISLIKE OF WORK AND WILL AVOID IT IF POSSIBLE; THE OTHER ARISES FROM THE BELIEF THAT THE EXPENDITURE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT IN WORK IS AS NATURAL AS PLAY OR REST. THE FIRST IS THE TRADITIONAL OR DEFENSIVE VIEW; IT LEADS TO ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION, TOP LEVEL DECISIONMAKING ONLY; AND CLEAR-CUT INSTRUCTIONS TO WORKERS. THE SECOND IS A PARTICIPATIVE CONCEPT; IT INVOLVES TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION, LINE OFFICER INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING, AND DECISIONMAKING AT THE MOST LOGICAL LEVEL. THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT THAT DIFFERENT SITUATIONS CALL FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUPERVISION; A MANAGEMENT STYLE SHOULD BE TAILORED TO FIT THE PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH TASK, SUPERVISOR, AND SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIP. SOME EXAMPLES OF THE EXPERIENCES OF COMPANIES WHICH HAVE IMPLEMENTED PARTICPATIVE MANAGEMENT ARE CITED. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE APPROACH ARE OFFERED; A 19-QUESTION DATA COLLECTOR DESIGNED TO HELP THE ADMINISTRATOR DIAGNOSE THE MANAGEMENT CLIMATE AND PINPOINT PROBLEM AREAS IS PRESENTED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (VDA)