Motivational Theories for Boosting Employee Performance: A Case Study of Jack Store

This case study explores the motivational theories implemented by Jack Store, a subsidiary brand of Tesco, to boost employee performance. The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The article also includes a brief introduction to motivational theory and its importance in enhancing employee performance.

Introduction to
Business studies

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory....................................................................................................3
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.....................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Motivational theory elaborates the factors which helps in boosting the motivation of an
individual (Schipke, 2018). An employee who feel motivated also produce more output and this
results in enhancing the performance of the business units. This case study is based up on the
company named 'Jack store', which is a subsidiary brand of Tesco. The main aim behind opening
this store is to meet the competition against Aldi and Lidl. Both the companies offer the product
at very low prices, in order to meet the competition against them Tesco decided to open a new
discounted store. This cast study will include the motivational theory implemented by the
company in order to boost the motivation of the employees. Along with it, the advantages and
disadvantages of applying this motivational theory within the organisation is mentioned.
MAIN BODY
Motivational theory includes the factors which helps in promoting the motivation of an
individual. There are numerous motivational theories which an organisation can use in order to
improve the performance of the employees. Out of this, the most effective motivational theory
for the new discounted store of Tesco are Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory and Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs.
Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory
The Hertzberg’s two factor theory was introduced by Frederick Herzberg in 1950s. As
per the theory, there are two factors through which the satisfaction and motivation of the
employees can be enhanced. The factors are Hygiene factor and the other one is Motivational
factor (Myers, 2021).
Hygiene factor
Hygiene factor do not lead to motivating the employees but this affects the satisfaction level of
the employees. It includes factors such as, working environment of the organisation, the relations
of the employees among each other, the rule and policies framed by the organisation, the salary
and wages paid to the employees of the organisation and lastly the position and status of the
employees.
Motivational factor

Motivational factors lead in increasing the productivity of the employees. This factor includes
the personal growth of the employees, achievement & recognition attainted by the employees
and lastly the responsibilities secured by them.
When the hygiene and motivation of the employees are low then the retention rate of the
employees is the lowest, this is the most terrible situation for the employees. When the hygiene
factor within the organisation is low but the motivational level is high then it results in shifting of
the employees towards new job (Prasad Kotni and Karumuri, 2018). The pay they are getting is
low but the opportunities and challenges faced by them is high. When the motivational level of
the employees is low and the hygiene factor is high, then the employees are only focused
towards earning, they will put best efforts in their job for achieving their personal goals. The best
possible result occurs within the organisation when the motivational and hygiene factor of the
employees are high. The employee will feel emotionally and personally satisfaction. As they are
getting good pay along with the recognition in the organisation. In order to benefit the Jack store
the management of Tesco decided to use this theory in their new outlet which will help them in
beating the competition.
Advantages
 Focus towards problems - The most of the organisations feels that proving salary on
time to the employees is sufficient to increase the productivity of the employees, but it is
not true with the help of this theory, Jack store will identify the other factors also through
which the performance of the employees can be boost. Monetary factor is alternative – The hygiene factor of this theory indicates that along
with earning there are certain factors like relation building with the colleagues &
management and working culture of the organisation are the factors which affects the
working of the employees. It is a popular saying that the employee who leave their job
due to less salary has high chances to re-join the organisation, but the employee leaving
job due to bad working culture will never come back to the organisation again.
Limitations
 Interrelation of job satisfaction and productivity – The Jack store things that the
productivity of the employees are directly linked with the satisfaction level of the
employees, but this is not true they differ from employee to employee.

 External factors are neglected – The organisation do not focus towards the other
competitor company. In order to satisfy the employees, they put extra efforts which
results in increasing the cost of Jack store.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
The Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory was introduced by Abraham Maslow in 1943. As
per this theory, the need of an individual were categories into five parts (Mehta, 2021).
 Basic need – It include the things which are important for the survival like food, shelter
and cloth. The Jack store will provide salary to its workforce through which they can
fulfil their crucial needs.
 Safety need – This includes the health and financial safety of an individual. The Jack
store will provide health, medical and life insurance to its workforce.
 Social need – It includes the person with whom an individual can share their emotions.
Jack store believes in team work and will perform action towards it.
 Esteem need – Under this, an individuals want respect and recognition form others. The
employees of Jack stores will be praised for their productive performance. Self-actualization need – Here, an individual aspect to reach at the top and wants to be
the best version of themselves. Jack store has performance measuring tool through which
they will provide opportunities to the workforce to reach at the top.
Advantages
 Easily understood – To understand this theory is quite simple and easy to understand.
The Jack store can use it for understanding the changing requirement of the employees. Related to human nature – This theory is basically related with the pattern of human
nature, each and every step is related who a human behaves. Jack store could easily
determine each and every factor as it is related to human life cycle.
Limitations
 Different culture – The culture varies from country to country, due to diverse culture
within the organisation each and every employees have different mind-set. This can
affect the working of the Jack store in understanding the needs and wants of the
employees.
 Measuring issue – The Jack store may find difficulty in understanding the level of
satisfaction of the employees, because satisfaction level differs from person to person.

CONCLUSION
From the above information, it can be concluded that the to enhance the productivity of
the employees the Jack store can apply Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs motivational theory. These theories have certain disadvantage and advantages but
implementing them in a proper manner can provide benefit to the organisation in long run.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Allen, J., Muñoz, J. C. and de Dios Ortúzar, J., 2019. Understanding public transport satisfaction:
Using Maslow's hierarchy of (transit) needs. Transport policy, 81, pp.75-94.
Myers, A. B., 2021.Increasing Employee Motivation through Job Satisfaction and
Empowerment(Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).
Prasad Kotni, V. V. and Karumuri, V., 2018. Application of Herzberg Two-Factor Theory Model
for Motivating Retail Salesforce. IUP Journal of Organizational Behavior. 17(1).
Mehta, D., 2021. Motivation Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.Issue 3 Int'l JL Mgmt. & Human.,4,
p.913.