Managing People and Systems: Theories of Motivation and Application in Modern Organizations

This essay discusses the importance of managing people and systems in modern organizations. It focuses on motivation and explores different motivational theories such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Hertzberg's two-factor theory, and Vroom's theory of expectancy. The essay also provides an example of how Tesco applies Maslow's hierarchy of needs to motivate its employees.

MANAGING
PEOPLE AND
SYSTEMS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Different theories of motivation..................................................................................................3
Detailed discussion about motivational theory...........................................................................4
Modern workplace .....................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................7
REFERNCES:..................................................................................................................................8
Books and Journals:....................................................................................................................8
Online..........................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
The business environment is dynamic and continuously changing. So, it becomes
important manage all the persons that are working in the organisation. There are various ways of
managing people and system (Schunk and DiBenedetto, 2020). This essay is based on
motivation. There is discussion related to “Theories of motivation and how they can be applied
in modern organisation.”
MAIN BODY
Motivation: It is the desire, needs, and wants within individuals. Motivation is a process
that stimulates a person to work and achieve the goals and objectives. Most importantly it is
willingness of a person that helps employees to perform their best (Kanfer, Frese and Johnson,
2017). It is important to motivate the employees in an organisation so that they are able to
perform the tasks effectively. There are various factors that helps to motivate the employees. For
example, due to Covid-19 the employees felt demotivated. It is important to motivate the
employees and make them feel comfortable. In this regard Tesco enhanced the communication
with employees. This helped to keep the employees motivated and achieve goals and objectives
effectively.
Different theories of motivation
There are different theories of motivation that help to motivate employees. The various
theories are discussed below:
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
The theory is formulated by Abraham Maslow. As per the theory the needs of individuals
are in hierarchy (Motivation Theories, 2021). It is believed that after satisfaction of one need the
next need arises. It is human tendency that they want more when there basic need is satisfied.
The needs under this theory are as follows:
 Physiological
 Safety
 Social
 Self-esteem
 Self-actualization
Hertzberg’s two factor theory

As per this theory the needs are divided in two broad categories. The two factors are
hygiene factors and motivation factors. The hygiene factors are important as helps to check that
employee's are not dissatisfied and helps to enhance the performance of of employees
(Alshmemri, Shahwan-Akl, and Maude, 2017). Only hygienic factors do not guarantee
motivation. There is need of motivational factors. But the presence of motivational factors alone
is not sufficient. So, there is need of both hygienic factors as well as motivators.
Vroom’s theory of expectancy
This theory is given by Victor Vroom. As per this theory employee is more productive
and motivated to achieve goals and objectives (Rehman, Sehar and Afzal, 2019). The major
reason are discussed below:
1. Employees believe that their efforts will work and they will be able to achieve success.
2. Also, they know that they will be rewarded for their good work.
It is observed that employees work with more dedication when thy are able to understand
the relationship of efforts and their performance. The employees start working harder to enhance
the performance as they know it will help them in getting reward.
Detailed discussion about motivational theory
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

As per this theory there are certain needs of an individual. All these needs arise one after
another. In simpler words after satisfaction of one need of an individual the next level need
arises. All the needs are discussed below:

Physiological needs: This is the first need and is also called the basic need of a person.
There are the biological requirements of an individual that facilitate their survival such as food,
shelter, air, water, clothing, sleep, etc (Dohlman and et.al., 2019). All these are important for
survival of a person. The person do not has any other need till he is able to satisfy the basic need.
Safety needs: After satisfaction of basic needs the safety needs arise. Each and every
person wants to live a safe and secure life and this need is based on the same. The need can be
fulfilled by the family and society. There is need of financial security, freedom from fear,
emotional security, property, social stability, health and well being.
Love and belongingness needs: An individual gets motivation for the love and
belongingness needs as and when they feel safe. Human beings like to build relations and are
connected emotionally (Suyono and Mudjanarko, 2017). This need is based on formulating
relations in society. They like to become part of group and work together. The examples of love
and belongingness need are intimacy, friendship, trust, and receiving, acceptance, and giving
affection, and love.
Esteem needs: Esteem is related to respect. As per this need of Maslow’s hierarchy
individuals want respect. Each and ever person that he has reputation in society. Each and every
person know them and respect them. The person at each and every level need to get respect and
work with dignity and self-esteem,. It helps them to be motivated and complete the assigned
work effectively.
Self-actualization needs: It is the need at highest level in the Maslow's hierarchy. The
need is based on achieving full potential of an individual, seeking personal growth, self-
fulfilment (Amin, 2021). All the desires of a person are met at think level and it is called self
actualisation.
Modern workplace
In today's time the business organisations are updating the way of working. For example
Tesco, is a multinational organisation that has its operations around the globe. The company has
its headquarters in England. There are 423,092 employees in Tesco and the company makes
effort to manage all the employees in an effective manner (TESCO PLC, 2021). The company
uses latest technology and provides effective training to the employees so that they are able to
operate effectively. There is need of proper guidance and support in the organisation so as to

achieve the goals and objectives successfully. There are so many changes that take place in the
organisation. With support of leader and proper guidance the company is able to achieve goals
and objectives successfully.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in Tesco
Physiological needs: In this regard the employees of Tesco are given basic salary on
time. This helps them to satisfy there basic need related to food, shelter, water. The employees
are provided valuable amount for the work that is done by them.
Safety needs: In relation to safety needs Tesco provides safety and securrity to
employees. Their jobs are fixed and the employees are provided medical insurance. This helps
the employees to feel secure while working.
Love and belongingness needs: There is positive working environment in Tesco and that
is the reason all the employees are motivated towards the work being given to them. It is seen
that all the employees are assigned group projects in which they participate and work effectively
(Osemeke, and Adegboyega, 2017). There is proper coordination in the organisation that help
the company to achieve goals and objectives on time.
Esteem needs: All the employees are valuable for the company. There is no
discrimination in the company. All the workers are given respect that keeps the employees
motivated. The company take care of esteem needs of all the employees and help them to work
effectively.
Self-actualization needs: This is the last need in hierarchy (Tripathi, 2018). The
employee is able to achieve success and growth of the employee.
All these needs are in hierarchy and after completion of one need the next need arises.
The employees get motivated to fulfil next desire. It helps Tesco to achieve all the goals and
objectives and achieve success.

CONCLUSION
From the above essay, motivation is desire that helps a person to work effectively. There
are various needs of employees that help to satisfy them. There is discussion related to the
concept of motivation with the help of examples. Different theories of motivation are also
discussed in this essay. In the end Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is explained in regard to modern
workplace.

REFERNCES:
Books and Journals:
Alshmemri, M., Shahwan-Akl, L. and Maude, P., 2017. Herzberg’s two-factor theory. Life
Science Journal, 14(5), pp.12-16.
Amin, F.A.B.M., 2021. A Review Of The Job Satisfaction Theory For Special Education
Perspective. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education
(TURCOMAT), 12(11), pp.5224-5228.
Dohlman and et.al., 2019. Global Brain Drain: How Can the Maslow Theory of Motivation
Improve Our Understanding of Physician Migration?. International journal of
environmental research and public health, 16(7), p.1182.
Kanfer, R., Frese, M. and Johnson, R.E., 2017. Motivation related to work: A century of
progress. Journal of Applied Psychology, 102(3), p.338.
Osemeke, M. and Adegboyega, S., 2017. Critical review and comparism between Maslow,
Herzberg, and McClelland‟ s theory of needs. Funai Journal of Accounting, Business
and Finance, 1(1), pp.161-173.
Rehman, S.A., Sehar, S. and Afzal, M., 2019. Performance Appraisal; Application of Victor
Vroom Expectancy Theory. Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care, 2(12), pp.431-
434.
Schunk, D.H. and DiBenedetto, M.K., 2020. Motivation and social cognitive
theory. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 60, p.101832.
Suyono, J. and Mudjanarko, S., 2017. Motivation engineering to employee by employees
Abraham Maslow theory. Journal of Education, Teaching and Learning, 2(1), pp.27-
33.
Tripathi, N., 2018. A valuation of Abraham Maslow's theory of self-actualization for the
enhancement of quality of life. Indian Journal of Health and wellbeing, 9(3), pp.499-
504.
Online
Motivation Theories, 2021. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.knowledgehut.com/tutorials/project-management/motivation-theories>
TESCO PLC, 2021, [Online] Available through: <https://www.tescoplc.com/>