Herzberg and Maslow, Essay Example

The theoretical framework for this study is based on Herzberg’s Motivation-HygieneTheory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Fredrick Herzberg claimed that contrary to popular beliefs, the factors that motivate employees as well as the factors that lead to job dissatisfaction are independent of each other. Thus, they require different solutions and focusing on either employees’ motivation or dissatisfaction will have no effect on the other. The implication was that the opposite of ‘satisfaction’ is ‘no satisfaction’ and the opposite of ‘dissatisfaction’ is ‘no dissatisfaction’. The causes of satisfaction were termed Motivators and the causes of dissatisfaction were termed Hygiene Factors. The presence of Motivators such as recognition, achievement, and advancement etc. result in job satisfaction but their absencedoesn’t mean dissatisfaction. Similarly, getting rid of Hygiene factors such as inhospitable working conditions and communication gap between management and subordinates removes job dissatisfaction among the employees but has no bearing on their motivation level (MindTools).

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory presents different human needs in a pyramid form. These needs are physiological needs, security needs, social needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization in sequential order. Maslow states that most of us go through these five levels in orderly manner and we only move to the next level once our needs at the lower levels have been fulfilled. The most basic needs are physiological needs such as food, water, and sleep and the uppermost level is self-actualization which is related to one’s ability to fulfill his/her potential(Cherry). Thus, it is important for companies to figure out where their employees stand in terms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and then try to meet those needs in order to motivate employees.

Both Herzberg and Maslow stressed the fact that there is no one-size fits all way of motivating employees. The companies should understand the needs and concerns of their employees and then take steps to address those needs as well as remove factors that may be leading to job dissatisfaction.

References

Cherry, K. (n.d.). Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved August 16, 2011, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/hierarchyneeds.htm

MindTools. (n.d.). Herzberg’s Motivators and Hygiene Factors. Retrieved August 16, 2011, from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_74.htm