This refers to the article "SBI and the big bank theory" (40 years ago... And now, December 29). The phrase "big bank" explains why the State Bank of India (SBI) has not been able to motivate its staff. SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya's worry regarding the need to motivate staff is justified; the answer does not lie in motivating its staff. According to research by behavioural scientists, employees cannot be motivated unless they are self-motivated. Even the best remuneration or other human resources practices can motivate them only to a certain extent.
The problem with the SBI staff, or for that matter the staff at other state-owned banks, is that they have been enjoying job security. This factor has taken away the motivation even at middle and senior levels. Performance appraisals or annual reviews have become mere tools to promote the personnel required at different levels. These tools can no longer be used to motivate staff at the branch level. State-owned banks offered voluntary retirement schemes to get rid of staff, but they are now facing a shortage of staff at various levels. This led to rapid recruitment and promotion, but at the cost of merit and other norms.
K V Rao, Bengaluru
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