Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory Of Motivation

Abstract: This essay will review what is motivation, and what is necessary for a manager to motivate its employees. This essay will also review Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, Alderfer’s Learned need theory, McClelland’s theory of needs, Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory and how to implement this theories in practice in order to create a successfully motivated team which will complete their goals without any issues.

Introduction What is motivation? Motivation is the energizer that gives people an ability to take action related to their needs, desires, fears and aspirations. Motivation isn't something a manager can create, it is something a manager has to encourage in people in order to enhance their productivity. Every person is different

Maslow believed that when a need is mostly satisfied it will not motivate any more so another need of a higher level will take its place. First level is physiological level which requires need for air, water, sleep and nourishment. According to Maslow's theory if these needs are not satisfied then persons motivation will arise from the quest to satisfy them. Once physiological needs have been fulfilled, persons attention focuses on safety needs. Those needs might be fulfilled with financial savings, job security, living in a safe environment etc. As long as person doesn't feel safe the needs of a higher level will not get much attention. After satisfying low levels of physiological and safety needs, higher level needs become a priority. The first higher need is social need related to interaction with friends, feeling of being a part of social group or feeling to give and receive love. Once a person becomes familiar with feeling of belonging the need to feel important arises. Esteem needs can be internal and external. Internal needs relate to self-respect and achievement while external relate to social status and recognition. Last need which can never be fulfilled is self-actualization. The reason why it cannot be fulfilled is because there are always new opportunities to continue and to grow further. Self-actualized people usually tend to have needs such as truth to be told, justice,

ERG is defined as existence, the need for basic material existence like health and safety. Relatedness, the need for interpersonal connections, social status, recognition, and growth, the need for personal development, including creative and meaningful work. (Kadian-Baumeyer, 2013)

Difference between Maslow and Alderfer is that, Alderfer believed that people could move around the hierarchy meeting needs, people do not start at the bottom and work their way up. He also believed that people could go back in meeting their needs. For example people could satisfy their social need while being hungry at the same time. They don’t have to satisfy hunger first in order to spend some time with friends. (Williams, J. K. ,