A case study: depicting out the role and perception of "title" in organizations

Abstract

The basic aim of this study is to understand what “title” means for an employee and the degree to which it serves as a motivator. In the hierarchical organizational structures that are common in Turkey, we are faced with “title inflation”, that is, giving a higher title to employees became the primary tool in motivating them. This is also one of the easiest way to motivate employees for the executives or owners of companies in terms of being not costly. In addition to this, it serves as a means for gaining status and prestige in the eyes of other people which is very satisfying. If the cultural assumptions that people share in common also supports the view that “you are worth what your title is”, than the value of moving one ladder up in the hierarchy increases dramatically. How the concept of title will cease to exist eventually is the main question that is searched an answer for. The study is conducted in three banks, in one of which there are no titles defined but employees only have job descriptions instead. Among all three banks’ employees, having a higher title is desired strongly and title is associated with prestige/status, authority, recognition, and power. The three most preferred alternatives to title are performance based pay increase, extra training and to be involved in decision making.