Motivation Theories

• Motivation Theories


  Present different views on the role of money in motivating staff, and how non-financial factors may drive workers to improve their effort and output
• The Main Theories of Motivation

  • Taylor's Scientific Management
  • Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
  • Herzberg's Two Factor Theory
• Taylor's Scientific Management


  • Workers are motivated mainly by pay
  • They need tightly-defined tasks and close supervision
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs


  • People move through levels of needs that motivate them
  • Once a need is met, it no longer serves to motivate
• Herzberg's Two Factor Theory


  • Money is not a motivator but a lack of money leads to dissatisfaction
  • Workers are motivated by factors such as the opportunity to develop their skills
• Taylor's Theory of motivation Explanation :


  Developed the scientific management in the early 20th Century, focuses on breaking large tasks into smaller ones, providing workers with clear instructions and training to achieve maximum efficiency
• Businesses utilizing Taylor's principles


  • Many manufacturing businesses use piece rate pay systems
  • Production lines involving human labour
• Taylor's method


  1. Study and analyse the work process

  2. Standardise the work process

  3. Select and train workers

  4. Provide incentives for performance
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs Explanation :


  Outlines five tiers of human needs that must be met for individuals to reach their full potential
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs


  • Physiological Needs
  • Safety Needs
  • Love and Belonging Needs
  • Esteem Needs
  • Self Actualisation Needs
• Herzberg's two factor theory

  Suggests that two influencers determine employee motivation and job satisfaction: hygiene factors and motivators
• Hygiene factors


  • Working conditions
  • Coworker Relations
  • Policies and Rules
  • Supervisor Quality
  • Base wage, Salary
• Motivator factors


  • Achievement
  • Recognition
  • Responsibility
  • Work itself
  • Personal Growth
• Using Hygiene factors

  1. Pay fair wages/salaries

  2. Offer excellent working conditions

  3. Offer employment contracts which provide job security
• Using Motivation Factors

  1. Build a recognition and rewards culture

  2. Offer opportunities for growth and development

  3. Provide challenging work which requires problem-solving

  4. Implement job rotation/delegation
• Advantages of Maslow‘s theory:

  • Meeting employees needs establishes a satisfying work environment that needs to increase productivity and lower staff turnover
  • Offering incentives that matched their specific needs and desires improves staff loyalty
  • employees feel valued and supported by their employers, so that they perform at a higher level
• Disadvantages of Maslow’s theory:

  • businesses need to tailor their approach to meet the individuals needs
  • It can be costly to meet all the employees needs
  • determining the best way to motivate, requires significant effort from management
• Advantages of Taylor’s theory

  • Increased efficiency, lowers cost
  • Standard procedures that everyone follows reduces inconsistencies
  • Clear hierarchy leads to greater efficiency and efficient decision-making
  • Training and development improves employee performance, and job satisfaction
• Disadvantages of Taylor‘s Theory

  • over emphasizes uni-and reduces worker satisfaction and creativity
  • Workers may disengage from work if they work in the machine-like system
  • potential for exploitation of workers