MOTIVATION THEORIES

 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow was a pioneering 20th-century psychologist whose "hierarchy of needs" theory is still widely used today. Motivation theories are important because they serve as the foundation for modern management theories and are still used by many practicing managers Maslow's defining work was the creation of the hierarchy of needs (Gawel, 1996). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a well-known motivation theory in the world. Maslow starts with the idea that people always want something, and what they want is defined by what they already have. 

The way Maslow's theory is explained, according to Lake ( 2000) is based on the fact that people want to achieve more in life, and their needs are prioritized according to their importance. Maslow developed a five-stage theory (Illustrated in figure 3.0) in which he categorizes and prioritizes an individual's needs (Jerome., 2013). Furthermore, humans have a general pattern of recognizing and satisfying their needs in the same order (Abulof, 2017).

 

Figure 3.0 - Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

                              Source : (Ricky W. Griffin, 2007)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory

Physiological needs are at the bottom of the hierarchy. These requirements are primarily met by adequate wages, as well as the work environment itself, which includes a restroom, proper lighting, and comfortable ventilation for the employees. (Ricky W. Griffin, 2007). Home Lands Skylines is the leading Real Estate company in Sri Lanka, and they provide a decent salary package, company transportation, drinking water, a restroom and a lunchroom, and a comfortable working environment to satisfy the basic needs of the development and office staff.

Next are the security needs for a secure physical and emotional environment. Managers should provide job security, insurance, and retirement benefit packages to employees in the workplace. In order to feel that family is secure in society. These needs can be satisfied in the workplace by job continuity.  (Ricky W. Griffin, 2007). The company provides health insurance to the employee and his family members. Specifically for the project, they provide safety shoes and hats, as well as hang all safety signboards in the project area to reduce safety risks.

 Belongingness needs related to the social process. Employee needs love and affection and needs to be accepted by their peers (Maslow, 1943). Managers can help meet these needs by encouraging social interaction and making employees feel like they are a part of the team. The project managers will assist employees in maintaining a work-life balance. To maintain a good relationship between the manager and the employee, the company conducts training programs and organizes annual trips. 

(Ricky W. Griffin, 2007) States that esteem needs to comprise two different sets of needs, the need is positive Self-image and self-respect, and the need for recognition and respect from others also managers can help address these needs by job title, rewards, recognition. The company's recognition for the best salesperson of the month and year, improved incentive schemes for the sales team, and new company vehicles for the AGM and higher levels.

In the final level of self-actualization, more intrinsic level managers can provide challenging job assignments and opportunities for the employees to feel a sense of success. One of the pieces of advice was for managers to find ways of motivating employees by devising programs or practices aimed at satisfying emerging or unmet needs (Kretiner, 1998). The company's recognition for the best salesperson of the month and year, improved incentive schemes for the sales team, and new company vehicles for the AGM and higher levels.

 Video 1: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – What is the Hierarchy of Needs

(Happiness.com, 2017)

 

 References

Abulof, U., 2017. Introduction: Why we need Maslow in the twenty-first Century. Society,.

Gawel, J. E., 1996. Herzberg's theory of motivation and Maslow's hierarchy of needs are Practical.

Happiness.com, 2017. What is Maslow's Pyramid? What is the hierarchy of needs?. youtube, Issue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLHiWjMFYUU.

Jerome., N., 2013. Application of the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need Theory. impacts and Implications on Organizational Culture,Human resources and Employee’s Performance. International Journal of Business and Management, , Volume Volume 2 Issue 3, 41-42..

Kretiner, R. &. K. A., 1998. Organizational Behavior. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill.Lake, .

Lake, S., 2000. Low-cost strategies for employee retention. Compensation and Benefits Review, pp. 32(4), 65-72. .

Maslow, A. H., 1943. A Theory of Human Motivation.. Psychological Review,, pp. 50, 394-395.

Ricky W. Griffin, 2007. “Management”. p. Tenth Edition.