1. Describe the practices that Lincoln Electric uses to motivate employees. What are some of the consequences of these practices for employees and the company?
2. Discuss the motivational system at Lincoln Electric, using each of the need theories of motivation. What does each theory say about the motivational practices at Lincoln Electric and which theory works best for explaining employees’ motivation?
3. Consider the motivational system at Lincoln Electric in terms of the process theories of motivation. What does each theory say about the company’s motivational practices? In other words, can we understand the system and its effectiveness in terms of expectancy theory, equity theory, and goal setting theory?
4. Some have said that the methods of motivation used at Lincoln Electric should be used by all organizations to motivate their employees. Do you believe this to be true? Explain your reasoning.
5. Comment on the cross-cultural limitations of Lincoln Electric’s motivational system. How do the theories of work motivation help us to understand why the company’s incentive program did not work in Germany but does work in North America and Australia? What does this tell us about the cross-cultural limitations of the theories of motivation?
6. What can other organizations learn about motivation from Lincoln Electric? What do you recommend that organizations do to motivate employees based on your knowledge of the Lincoln Electric motivational system and on your understanding of motivation?