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Motivation theories
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Three famous theories try to explain what motivates people at work. Each suggests different ways to motivate staff.
Taylor: scientific management
F. W. Taylor believed workers are motivated mainly by money.
He broke jobs into small, simple tasks, found the most efficient way to do each, and paid workers by output (piece rate).
Criticism: it ignores the social and personal needs of workers, and repetitive work can be boring.
He broke jobs into small, simple tasks, found the most efficient way to do each, and paid workers by output (piece rate).
Criticism: it ignores the social and personal needs of workers, and repetitive work can be boring.
Maslow: hierarchy of needs
Abraham Maslow said people have needs in a hierarchy. Once one level is met, the next motivates.
Herzberg: two-factor theory
Frederick Herzberg split factors into two groups.
Hygiene factors (pay, working conditions, company policy, supervision): if poor, they cause dissatisfaction, but improving them does not motivate on their own.
Motivators (achievement, recognition, responsibility, the work itself, advancement): these actually motivate.
So businesses should use job enrichment and recognition, not just pay.
Hygiene factors (pay, working conditions, company policy, supervision): if poor, they cause dissatisfaction, but improving them does not motivate on their own.
Motivators (achievement, recognition, responsibility, the work itself, advancement): these actually motivate.
So businesses should use job enrichment and recognition, not just pay.
A manager praises a worker in front of the team and gives her a new title. Which level of Maslow's hierarchy does this meet?
- Praise and a title are recognition.
- Recognition is part of esteem needs.
Answer: Esteem needs
Taylor: money motivates; piece rate and simple tasks. Maslow: physiological, safety, social, esteem, self-actualisation. Herzberg: hygiene factors prevent dissatisfaction; motivators (achievement, recognition, responsibility) motivate.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
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