Why is E. L. Thorndike's Law of Effect significant in the context of employee behavior?

E. L. Thorndike's Law of Effect is significant in the context of employee behavior because it articulates a fundamental principle of learning that applies directly to the workplace: responses that are followed by positive outcomes or rewards are more likely to be repeated in the future. This concept underlies various aspects of organizational behavior and motivational strategies.

In practical terms, when employees receive recognition, bonuses, promotions, or other rewards for their actions, it reinforces those behaviors, encouraging them to act similarly in the future. This has profound implications for performance management and training programs, where organizations seek to cultivate desirable behaviors and enhance overall productivity. By understanding the Law of Effect, HR professionals can develop effective reward systems that not only recognize achievements but also drive consistent and sustained employee performance.

The other choices address different aspects of employee dynamics. For instance, teamwork and intrinsic motivation play important roles in workplace culture and individual motivation but do not encapsulate the specific mechanism of behavior reinforcement described by Thorndike's principle.