Expectancy Theory

This chapter explores Victor Vroom’s expectancy theory, first introduced in 1964, which has profoundly influenced the understanding of motivation within organizational contexts. The theory, often referred to as the Valence–Instrumentality–Expectancy (VIE) model, posits that motivation is a function of an individual’s calculated expectations. In this model, motivational force is the product of three components: valence (the value of outcomes), instrumentality (the belief that performance will lead to outcomes), and expectancy (the perception that effort will lead to performance). The model has been widely applied across various fields, including tourism and hospitality, which are discussed in detail in the second part of this chapter.