Design of a motivational model to enhance volunteer student group performance

Abstract

Motivation is a subject of great interest to managers seeking to improve overall team performance. Furthermore, motivation has been my greatest challenge as team manager of the MIT Motorsports Formula SAE team. This group is composed of volunteer students dedicating their time for an extra-curricular activity. This thesis serves to develop a motivational model unique to MIT Motorsports with the goal of increasing overall team performance. MIT Motorsports team dynamics are described through performance observations and feedback from a survey given to team members. This analysis is combined with a discussion of traditional and contemporary theories of motivation to yield a new improved model of motivation. Conclusions of this thesis are particularly useful for future MIT Motorsports team managers. While this model is specific to MIT Motorsports, the overall approach to the universal problem can enlighten any manager seeking to receive gains from the motivation to performance relationship.