Attribution Theory and Its Relevance to Management Practice Essay

Attribution Theory and Its Relevance to Management Practice - Essay Example For the growing importance of human resource and it aspects, the study will discuss upon the attribution theory and its relevance to management practice. This is significant as it explains the way people are being judged depending upon the attributes that are assigned to their behaviors. Attribution Theory An attribution is an informal explanation for behavior or for any event. The attribution theory illustrates that the outcomes and behaviors eventually assist to form behavioral and emotional responses (Borkowski, N. â€Å"Organizational Behavior, Theory, and Design in Health Care†). The attributions that are casual in nature exert more stress on people’s perception for their successes and failures. Attribution theory establishes that every causal attribution have three dimensions namely stable or unstable, internal or external and controllable or uncontrollable. Individuals who perceive that they are successful due to the three dimensions that are stable, internal and controllable factors, have a propensity to be extremely motivated and consequently persist to be further victorious than those individuals with the alternative attribution styles. The attribution theory is a common cognitive theory of motivation that focuses upon the principles that present the casual attributes based upon present and future motivation and achievements (Penn State College of Engineering, â€Å"Overview: Attribution Theory†). The attribution theory also determines the level or finds out the causes for the dissatisfaction. The theory of attribution for the behavior of dissatisfaction was developed by the social psychologist that explains how an individual uncovers the clarification or reasons for their behavior or effects (Hoyer, W D., â€Å"Consumer Behavior†). For the explanation of the behavior and actions there are three factors that influence the nature of explanation. These three factors are stability, focus and controllability. Stability is the r eason for the temporary or permanent event. Focus is the problem that is related to the market or consumers. Furthermore, controllability is the event that is under the control of the marketers or customers. In general the customers are dissatisfied when the control is not under the customer, and when it is not customer related rather market related and perceived to be permanent in nature. With the assistance from the attribution theory, the marketers can be guided to deal with the potential and existing perception of customer dissatisfaction. Literature Review on Attribution Theory Heider was the first to recommend a psychological theory of attribution, but Weiner and his colleagues framed a theoretical structure that had turned out to be a major research model of social psychology. The attribution theory was developed from the theories of Fritz Heider, Keith Davis, Edward Jones and Harold Kelley. Fritz Heider was the first person to write about attribution theory in his book †˜The Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships’ in the year 1958. His writings have played a vital role in the commencing and explanation of attribution theory (Heider, â€Å"Psychology of Interpersonal Relations†). Harold Kelley theory has focused upon the model of satisfaction. He has described in his thesis about the satisfaction and dissatisfaction causes of the human beings.