Theories of Employee Motivation- There are various theories of motivation that have been derived by psychologists after studying human motivation. These theories focus on:
- Employee needs of various types
- Extrinsic factors
- Intrinsic factors
Need-Based Theories of Motivation
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need
In 1954, Maslow postulated a hierarchy of needs from the lowest subsistence level needs to the highest level of self-awareness and actuality. It is said that once all these levels are met the employee will be motivated to work to satisfy a higher level of need. There are five levels in Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
- Physiological needs: This includes food, water and other subsistence related needs.
- Safety needs: This includes shelter, a safe home, a safe working environment, access to health care, money and other basic necessities.
- Belonging needs: This includes desire for social interaction, friendship, affection and various types of support.
- Esteem needs: This includes status, recognition and positive regard.
- Self Actualization needs: This includes desire for achievement, personal growth and development and autonomy.
The movement from one level to the next has been termed by Maslow as satisfaction progression. The theory states that over the time employees are motivated to progress upwards through these levels. Though this theory is useful in the theoretical perspective, most employees do not analyze their needs in this way. Thus this approach to motivation is not very realistic.
Alderfer’s ERG Theory
In 1972, Alderfer suggested that the employees are motivated to move forward and backward through the levels suggested by Maslow, in terms of the motivators and reduced Maslow’s levels from five to three.
- Existence: This is related to physiological and safety needs suggested by Maslow.
- Relatedness: This addresses the belonging needs.
- Growth: This is related to esteem needs and self-actualization needs.
Alderfer suggested that the employees would move in and out of the various levels depending upon the extent to which their needs are met.
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