...Critically evaluate Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as way of understanding employee motivation in contemporary Chinese business Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a famous psychological theory developed by Abraham Maslow in 1943. This theory says that there is a hierarchy of human needs which reflects their motivations. He divided human needs into five hierarchies: physical needs, security needs, social needs, self-esteem and self-actualization needs. He stated that human motivations approximately change through these five levels. As a result, it has been considered as a useful tool in management in western countries because motivation is an important factor of human behaviors. Motivation plays an important role in employment. Well motivated workers work harder with higher efficiency and have a stronger sense of participation. However, some criticisms point out that Maslow’s theory may not be able to applied in some other culture contexts like China because it is based on a narrow research with particular targets in America. That is to say that Maslow’s theory is not correct in all nations because of cultural differences, especially in China. This essay will give a critical evaluation of this theory by considering its advantages and defects of Maslow’s theory to see whether it is useful in China. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is generally useful and makes a great contribution to business management. There are several advantages of Maslow’s theory. First, this theory clearly reflects human...
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...Maslow is best known for his theory, the Hierarchy of Needs. Depicted in a pyramid, the theory explains the different levels and importance of human psychological and physical needs. It can be used by business managers to better understand employee motivation. The general needs in Maslow's hierarchy include physiological needs (food and clothing), safety needs (job security), social needs (friendship), self-esteem, and self-actualization. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs relates to organizational theory and behavior due to it's exploration of worker motivation, enabling better managerial practices and higher job satisfaction. Managers must be perceptive and empathetic to their employees—they must listen to what their employees' needs are and work to fulfill them. Maslow is best known for his theory, the Hierarchy of Needs. Depicted in a pyramid, the theory explains the different levels and importance of human psychological and physical needs. It can be used by business managers to better understand employee motivation. The general needs in Maslow's hierarchy include physiological needs (food and clothing), safety needs (job security), social needs (friendship), self-esteem, and self-actualization. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs relates to organizational theory and behavior due to it's exploration of worker motivation, enabling better managerial practices and higher job satisfaction. Managers must be perceptive and empathetic to their employees—they must listen to what their...
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... English▼ Home Answers Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Business & Finance > What is motivation explain maslows theory of motivation? What is motivation explain maslows theory of motivation? In: Business & Finance, Human Behavior, Psychological Disciplines [Edit categories] Distance Learning MBAwww.regenesys.co.zaAchieve an exclusive MBA, or BBA through E-Learning 011 669 5000 Zimbabwe Classifiedswww.classifieds.co.zwproperty, cars, jobs, computers, dating, travel, hardware, furniture Ads Answer: Maslow's Theory of Motivation - Hierarchy of Needs In 1943, Dr. Abraham Maslow 's article "A Theory of Human Motivation " appeared in Psychological Review, which were further expanded upon in his book: Toward a Psychology of Being In this article, Abraham H. Maslow attempted to formulate a needs-based framework of human motivation and based upon his clinical experiences with people, rather than as did the prior psychology theories of his day from authors such as Freud and B.F. Skinner, which were largely theoretical or based upon animal behavior. From this theory of motivation, modern leaders and executive managers find means of motivation for the purposes of employee and workforce management. Abraham Maslow's book Motivation and Personality (1954), formally introduced the Hierarchy of Needs. The basis of Maslow's motivation theory is that human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs, and that certain lower factors need to be satisfied...
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...maslow's hierarchy of needs Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs motivational model Abraham Maslow developed the Hierarchy of Needs model in 1940-50s USA, and the Hierarchy of Needs theory remains valid today for understanding human motivation, management training, and personal development. Indeed, Maslow's ideas surrounding the Hierarchy of Needs concerning the responsibility of employers to provide a workplace environment that encourages and enables employees to fulfil their own unique potential (self-actualization) are today more relevant than ever. Abraham Maslow's book Motivation and Personality, published in 1954 (second edition 1970) introduced the Hierarchy of Needs, and Maslow extended his ideas in other work, notably his later book Toward A Psychology Of Being, a significant and relevant commentary, which has been revised in recent times by Richard Lowry, who is in his own right a leading academic in the field of motivational psychology. Abraham Maslow was born in New York in 1908 and died in 1970, although various publications appear in Maslow's name in later years. Maslow's PhD in psychology in 1934 at the University of Wisconsin formed the basis of his motivational research, initially studying rhesus monkeys. Maslow later moved to New York's Brooklyn College. The Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs five-stage model below (structure and terminology - not the precise pyramid diagram itself) is clearly and directly attributable to Maslow; later versions of the theory with...
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...Maslow's Theory of Motivation - Hierarchy of Needs In 1943, Dr. Abraham Maslow 's article "A Theory of Human Motivation " appeared in Psychological Review, which were further expanded upon in his book: Toward a Psychology of Being In this article, Abraham H. Maslow attempted to formulate a needs-based framework of human motivation and based upon his clinical experiences with people, rather than as did the prior psychology theories of his day from authors such as Freud and B.F. Skinner, which were largely theoretical or based upon animal behavior. From this theory of motivation, modern leaders and executive managers find means of motivation for the purposes of employee and workforce management. Abraham Maslow's book Motivation and Personality (1954), formally introduced the Hierarchy of Needs. The basis of Maslow's motivation theory is that human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs, and that certain lower factors need to be satisfied before higher needs can be satisfied. According to Maslow, there are general types of needs (physiological, survival, safety, love, and esteem) that must be satisfied before a person can act unselfishly. He called these needs "deficiency needs." As long as we are motivated to satisfy these cravings, we are moving towards growth, toward self-actualization. Satisfying needs is healthy, while preventing gratification makes us sick or act evilly. As a result, for adequate workplace motivation, it is important that leadership understands...
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...19 July 2014 Need Theories: Comparing Maslow, Alderfer, and McClelland Most theories of motivation revolve around the idea an employee’s needs influence their motivation. Needs are physiological or psychological scarcities that stimulate behavior therefore are necessary to live a healthy, productive lives both in personal and work lives. “If work is meaningless, then life comes close to being meaningless”(Maslow, Stephens Heil 39). These needs, whether weak or strong and are greatly influenced by environmental factors, thus causing human needs to vary over time and place. The general idea behind need theories of motivation is that unmet needs motivate people to placate them. On the contrary, people are not motivated to pursue a satisfied or achieved need. “In general terms, motivation can be defined as the desire to achieve a goal, combined with the energy, determination and opportunity to achieve it”(Compare and Contrast Clayton Paul Alderfer’s Erg Theory of Motivation and Abraham Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy). Let us now consider three popular content theories of motivation: Maslow’s need hierarchy theory, Alderfer’s ERG theory, and McClelland’s need theory. Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, first published his need hierarchy theory of motivation in 1943. According to Maslow, we all have five levels of need. The first, and most basic level is the need for survival or physiological needs, followed by the need for safety, together these two level represent our basic needs....
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...HR Performance Issues and Motivation Vada Taborn BUS610: Organizational Behavior Instructor: Martin McDermott Date: December 22, 2014 HR Performance Issues and Motivation It is common for motivation to be used in the workplace in order for goals to be reached by employees. In the workplace, it is absolutely necessary that both management and employees are able to concentrate on their work. There are many things that can motivate someone into acting or behaving a certain way. A person’s productivity can be determined by the motivation that they receive not only from their work environment but also from outside influences. Money is not the only influence that can motivate an employee. Sometimes showing an employee how much their hard work is appreciated can motivate them into working harder. There are many motivational problems that can make it very difficult for goals to be reached. Motivational problems may come from the workplace, while others occur outside the workplace, but all of them can influence a worker’s performance. A person’s personal life can be the most common motivation problem. It is necessary to separate personal life and work but it is sometimes difficult to do and family affairs may affect performance at the workplace. There is always a need to be able to totally focus on work in order for organizational goals to be reached. The issues that a person has in their person life can be motivation problems that make it hard for goals to be attained. Some of the personal...
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...Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory Assumes that some needs are more important than others and must be satisfied before the other needs can serve as motivators Identifies five levels of individual needs • Physiology (hunger, thirst, sleep, etc.) • Safety/Security/Shelter/Health • Belongingness/Love/Friendship • Self-esteem/Recognition/Achievement • Self actualization Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often portrayed in the shape of a pyramid, with the largest and most fundamental levels of needs at the bottom, and the need for self-actualization at the top. The most fundamental and basic four layers of the pyramid contain what Maslow called "deficiency needs" or "d-needs": esteem , friendship and love, security, and physical needs. With the exception of the most fundamental (physiological) needs, if these "deficiency needs" are not met, the body gives no physical indication but the individual feels anxious and tense. Maslow's theory suggests that the most basic level of needs must be met before the individual will strongly desire (or focus motivation upon) the secondary or higher level needs. Maslow also coined the term Metamotivation to describe the motivation of people who go beyond the scope of the basic needs and strive for constant betterment. Metamotivated people are driven by B-needs (Being Needs), instead of deficiency needs (D-Needs). Physiological needs For the most part, physiological needs are obvious — they are the literal requirements...
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...According to Chevalier (2007), the motivation defines as a force of moving enthusiasm towards within individual, not an outside to enhance workplace management. Actually, it arrives from the theory of hierarchy of needs which is one of the main criticisms of Abraham Maslow’s “eupsychian” approach to management. The critical point of Maslow is that people can only be motivated by unsatisfied need. When people’s basic need is satisfied, they are motivated by the next higher level or abundant needs. This theory is known to be successful adopted and developed for managing working environment in United States. However, it is wondering if the needs theories of motivation are appropriate in other parts of the world such as Asia. This essay will examine some discussions about this issue to clarify that question. Colvin & Rutland (2008) claimed that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a content of motivation theory which its model identifies five basic needs categories constructed ascending hierarchy order to clarify them as arranged elements to arise employee’s motivation. They are psychological needs, safety need, love and belongings needs, esteem needs and lastly needs of self-actualization. Normally employee’s lower level of needs is requested to be satisfied before the progress of seeking into higher level gratification. Due to the fact that the most difficult part of motivating approach in workplace’s supervision is satisfying the mutual benefits between employee and organisation...
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...theories and motivation theories can create productive employees to reach organizational goals. In the case study “A Question of Motivation” Robbins and Judge (2007) have created two managers for this scenario; Jonathan is the more effective manager who is liked by his employees while Dan is a less effective manager that is not well liked. They also introduce two employees; Stephanie who works for Jonathan she is very happy with her job and has a high respect for Jonathan as her manager. Alex is very unhappy with his job and has no respect for his manager Dan. Our team has chosen to analyze this case study by applying the motivational theories of “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” and the “Equity Theory of Motivation”; the leadership theories of “The Path-Goal Theory of Leadership” and “The Hershey-Blanchard Life Cycle Theory of Leadership” (Certo & Certo, 2009). Motivation Motivation is very important in understanding employee’s behavior and can influence this behavior to accomplish goals and objectives. Managers need to understand their employee’s needs, roles and perceptions in order to motivate (Certo & Certo, 2009). In the case study by Robbins and Judge (2007), “A Question of Motivation” the two managers (Dan & Jonathan) have two totally different ideas of motivation. The motivation theories that can be applied to this situation are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Equity Theory of Motivation. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Maslow's hierarchy of needs includes...
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...theories and motivation theories can create productive employees to reach organizational goals. In the case study “A Question of Motivation” Robbins and Judge (2007) have created two managers for this scenario; Jonathan is the more effective manager who is liked by his employees while Dan is a less effective manager that is not well liked. They also introduce two employees; Stephanie who works for Jonathan she is very happy with her job and has a high respect for Jonathan as her manager. Alex is very unhappy with his job and has no respect for his manager Dan. Our team has chosen to analyze this case study by applying the motivational theories of “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” and the “Equity Theory of Motivation”; the leadership theories of “The Path-Goal Theory of Leadership” and “The Hershey-Blanchard Life Cycle Theory of Leadership” (Certo & Certo, 2009). Motivation Motivation is very important in understanding employee’s behavior and can influence this behavior to accomplish goals and objectives. Managers need to understand their employee’s needs, roles and perceptions in order to motivate (Certo & Certo, 2009). In the case study by Robbins and Judge (2007), “A Question of Motivation” the two managers (Dan & Jonathan) have two totally different ideas of motivation. The motivation theories that can be applied to this situation are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Equity Theory of Motivation. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Maslow's hierarchy of needs includes...
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...psychology, personality is a collection of emotional, thought and behavioral models of a certain person. Maslow has greatly contributed to personality theories. He has developed the Hierarchy of Needs model in which people develop via several stages. Though just a small number reach the highest stage and their full potential. Both women and men have been analyzed to develop his model (Maslow, 1987, p.87). [...] The Hierarchy of Needs theory by Maslow stays valid for understanding people’s motivation and personal development. Nowadays Maslow's ideas stated in the Hierarchy of Needs about the responsibility of employers to give workplace that makes it possible for employees to perform their potential are very appropriate. Abraham Maslow has got the degree in psychology at the University of Wisconsin where the foundation of his motivational investigation was laid and where he studied rhesus monkeys (Maslow, 1987, p.61). [...] Maslow's primary Hierarchy of Needs model that consists of five stages can be attributed to Maslow. Every person has his own needs and he is motivated by them. The most basic people’s needs are inborn. They have been developed during the entire human’s evolution. Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is aimed to explain the way needs motivate people. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs people must satisfy every need after the other, beginning with the first one that concerns the most urgent requirements (Maslow, 1987, p.103). [...] First of all the lower...
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...ERG Theory of Motivation - Clayton P. Alderfer In 1969, Clayton Alderfer's revision of Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, called the ERG Theory appeared in Psychological Review in an article titled "An Empirical Test of a New Theory of Human Need." Alderfer's contribution to organizational behavior was dubbed the ERG theory (Existence, Relatedness, and Growth), and was created to align Maslow's motivation theory more closely with empirical research. Similarities to Maslow's Needs Hierarchy After the original formulation of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, studies had shown that the middle levels of Maslow's hierarchy overlap. Alderfer addressed this issue by reducing the number of levels to three. The letters ERG represent these three levels of needs: • Existence refers to our concern with basic material existence motivators. • Relatedness refers to the motivation we have for maintaining interpersonal relationships. • Growth refers to an intrinsic desire for personal development. Like Maslow's model, the ERG motivation is hierarchical, and creates a pyramid or triangle appearance. Existence needs motivate at a more fundamental level than relatedness needs, which, in turn supercedes growth needs. Growth Self-Actualization External Esteem Needs Relatedness Internal Esteem Needs Social Needs Existence Safety Needs Physiological Needs Differences from Maslow's Needs Hierarchy Beyond simply reducing the distinction between overlapping...
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...19 July 2014 Need Theories: Comparing Maslow, Alderfer, and McClelland Most theories of motivation revolve around the idea an employee’s needs influence their motivation. Needs are physiological or psychological scarcities that stimulate behavior therefore are necessary to live a healthy, productive lives both in personal and work lives. “If work is meaningless, then life comes close to being meaningless”(Maslow, Stephens Heil 39). These needs, whether weak or strong and are greatly influenced by environmental factors, thus causing human needs to vary over time and place. The general idea behind need theories of motivation is that unmet needs motivate people to placate them. On the contrary, people are not motivated to pursue a satisfied or achieved need. “In general terms, motivation can be defined as the desire to achieve a goal, combined with the energy, determination and opportunity to achieve it”(Compare and Contrast Clayton Paul Alderfer’s Erg Theory of Motivation and Abraham Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy). Let us now consider three popular content theories of motivation: Maslow’s need hierarchy theory, Alderfer’s ERG theory, and McClelland’s need theory. Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, first published his need hierarchy theory of motivation in 1943. According to Maslow, we all have five levels of need. The first, and most basic level is the need for survival or physiological needs, followed by the need for safety, together these two level represent our basic needs....
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...Motivation Motivation is how a person behaves in a goal directed manner. It is also the aspiration of achieving a goal combined with the efforts to work toward the goal. There are different ways to motivate employees in a workplace depending on the overall organizational goal. The three groups of employees in this organization are salespeople, production workers, and administrative staff. The main concept of motivation these groups would be the same despite the different functions they perform in an industry. The motivation theory that would be most effective to motivate these employee groups would be Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This essay will discuss the reasons why Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs would be most effective for of motivation. The needs hierarchy model says “that individuals have a complex set of exceptionally strong needs, that can be arranged in a hierarchy” (Hellriegel & Slocum 161). It also indicates that an individual has five types of needs: physiological, security, affiliation, esteem, and self-actualization. Human needs must be satisfied in order to achieve motivation and challenge employers to provide a workplace environment that encourage and enables employees to reach their own self-actualization. Physiological needs are at the bottom of the model. These are the needs for desire of food, water, air, or shelter. These are the primary elements to live, therefore, motivates people to get a job. Leaders in this level know that employees are not focused...
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