Theories of Motivation and their Application in Modern Workplace: A Case Study of Sainsbury's

This report discusses the different theories of motivation and their application in modern workplace, with a case study of Sainsbury's. It analyzes Maslow's need hierarchy model and how Sainsbury's uses it to motivate their employees. The report concludes that motivation is essential for improving employee performance and that organizations should analyze employee preferences to motivate them in the best possible manner.

Individual Essay

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Discuss theories of motivation and apply them in modern workplace.......................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES:...............................................................................................................................8
Books and Journals.....................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Motivation refers to the process of enhancing the derives, desires and wants of an
individual so that they carry out operations in desired manner. Organisations can achieve valued
outcomes by enhancing their performance and well being with the help of motivation. It can
influence the way of thinking which shapes mind in positive manner. It can stimulate the
behaviour of and individual in various context which includes job satisfaction, success, team
work, recognition and desire for money (Coffman and Sunny, 2021). This report is based on
Sainsbury's which is a retail company founded in 1869 by John James Sainsbury's. They have
various products including supermarket, superstore, forecourt shop, hypermarket, convenience
shop, etc. This report will include about motivation theory which is used by organisations in
order to motivate their employees. It includes analysis of theory which is implemented for
motivating employees in desired manner.
MAIN BODY
Discuss theories of motivation and apply them in modern workplace.
Nowadays organisations focus on their employee satisfaction so that they can improve
their productivity and performance. It is important to analyse the needs and requirements of
employees so that organisation can provide benefits according to that. Employees can contribute
their positive efforts towards the achievement of goals and objectives with the help of motivation
(Crittenden and et.al., 2021). Sainsbury's uses Maslow's need hierarchy model so that they can
understand different levels of needs of their work force. This theory was developed by Abraham
Maslow's in 1943 in order to satisfy the wants of individuals. It consist of five level of needs
which are evolved when prior need fulfilled in effective manner. The first need from the
hierarchy suggest the basic and physiological needs of human beings. It consist the requirement
of food, water, clothes, shelter and air. It is important to fulfil these needs as it involves basic
requirements which are important for survival (Yuen and et.al., 2021). Managers of Sainsbury's
gives major priority to these needs by providing them salaries and wages according to the fixed
criteria or according to their performance. For some of the employees they also provide facilities
for accommodations and transportation for their convenience. It assist them in motivating their

employees to work in appropriate manner for their further growth. Employees can only function
when their basic needs are satisfied by an organisation.
The next need from hierarch is security and safety needs which is developed after
fulfilment of basic needs. This suggest that human beings wants some factors which can control
their life in appropriate manner. It is important for organisations to provide protection to their
employees so that they can freely work in an organisation without any fear and threat
(Jayathilake and et.al., 2021). Sainsbury's provide appointment letters to their employees which
is sign of confirm employment. They include various benefits like health insurance, job security,
insurance policies and other financial insurance so that employees can feel safe and secure.
Sainsbury's also provides facility to open saving accounts to their work force so that they can
manage their finances in best possible manner. They ensure that their employees get safe
working environment along with appropriate job security so that they can motivate them in
effective manner. It brings out mental, emotional and financial stability in the life of individual
which is essential to perform operations in productive manner. Secured job can improve different
skills of employees as they develop interest to perform critical operations for further success.
After safety and security needs, individual desire for love and social belonging needs
which requires acceptance of an individual in group of people. Love and respect is important
factor which should be considered in each and every organisation for smooth operations
(Kurniawati and Maemonah, 2021). Sainsbury's always try to involve each and every employee
in group discussions and events so that they can properly interact with each other. This may
includes various factors such as affiliation, interpersonal relationship and connectedness with
each other at work place. Managers of Sainsbury's organise various functions which involve all
the employees of different culture and backgrounds. They promote team work in their
organisation so that every member can interact in appropriate manner. It reduces negativity,
depression and anxiety among employees so that they can perform activities in positive manner.
Sainsbury's also arrange sports and activities in their organisation on regular basis so that
involvement of employees can be increased. Communication is the key for fulfilment of this
need as it eliminate misunderstanding and confusion between employees which results in
positive outcomes. Attachments at work place results in improved retention and engagement of
employees.

The fourth need of hierarchy is esteem needs which develop the feeling for respect and
appreciation from the organisation. Employees wants to get appreciated for their performance
which highly motivate them to do operations in improved manner. Behaviour of employees can
be easily motivated when they get desired respect from their employers and colleagues (Liu, Yu,
Bai and Chen, 2020). Sainsbury's provides rewards and recognition to their employees for their
efforts so that they can develop interest to work harder. They provide opportunities for personal
growth so that employees can also achieve their goals in effective manner. Sainsbury's promote
their employees who perform well so that their efforts can be effectively recognised. It is
important to give status to some of the employees who contribute their best efforts in the
achievement of collective goals. It can create independence which is essential for better growth
and development. Sainsbury's value their employees as they are asset for an organisation who are
responsible for each and every operations and functions in an organisation. In order to
accomplish bigger goals it is important to celebrate small achievements of employees which can
motivate them to great extent.
The last need from the hierarchy evolved for self actualisation which suggest that
individual have to increase their self aware in an organisation. At this stage employees focus on
the fulfilment of their full potential in effective and efficient manner. Sainsbury's provide
recognition to their employees who have emerged for this need. They try to utilise their talents
and capabilities in effective manner so that employees feel motivated (Nangoli and et.al., 2020).
This help employees in getting higher position and status in their life which assist in developing
their better career. Sainsbury's give responsibilities to their employees which represent their
promotion which fulfil their self actualisation needs. It actualise the peak experience of
employees which need to be undertaken by the managers of Sainsbury's. Individuals possess this
need in different manner as this need of every person is unique according to their past
achievements and experiences. Sainsbury's fulfil this need by focusing on their economical,
mental and financial factors which results in desired outcomes.
It is analysed that modern workplace have to use different tools and techniques in order
to identify the requirements of their employees. They should use best appropriate motivating
framework according to their business requirement so that organisation can improve their
performance. Sainsbury's have used Maslow's need hierarchy which analyse the needs of
employees at different stage. According to this model individual go through different stages

according to the fulfilment of each need in appropriate manner. First stage of this model includes
basic needs of an individual which includes requirements which are necessary for their survival.
Sainsbury's provide all the resources and facilities to their employees which fulfil basic needs.
After satisfaction of this, employees evolve needs for safety and security which needs to be focus
by organisation (Parikh and Singh, 2018). Sainsbury's have tried to provide safety and security
to their employees by providing them insurance and legal documents. It is important to maintain
positivize work environment for employees so that they work in effective manner. Fulfilment of
these needs in appropriate manner, evolve next need which is social needs. It is essential to
include all the employees in an organisation with the help of communication so that employees
feel interconnected with each other. Employees develop esteem needs as they have to enjoy their
position and status in modern workplace. Sainsbury's give respect to their employees and
appreciate their achievements which satisfy their needs. At the end, it is analysed that employees
tend to develop self actualisation needs which should be focused by an organisation. Sainsbury's
promote their employees to higher positions according to their performance and efforts so that
they can achieve goals and targets.

CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that motivation is essential factor which
improves performance of employees. It is essential to analyse the preferences of employees in an
organisation so that motivation can be done in best possible manner. Organisations may use
different frameworks of motivation which develop the interest of employees towards
organisation. It assist in achievement of goals in desired manner by providing them various
benefits, incentives and perks on the basis of their performance. This report included about
motivation theory which is used by modern work place so that they can increase their
profitability.

REFERENCES:
Books and Journals
Coffman, C.D. and Sunny, S.A., 2021. Reconceptualizing necessity and opportunity
entrepreneurship: A needs-based view of entrepreneurial motivation. Academy of
Management Review, 46(4), pp.823-825.
Crittenden and et.al., 2021. Using parental attachment in family court proceedings: DMM theory
about the adult attachment interview. Child Abuse Review, 30(6), pp.536-549.
Jayathilake and et.al., 2021. Employee development and retention of Generation-Z employees in
the post-COVID-19 workplace: a conceptual framework. Benchmarking: An
International Journal.
Kurniawati, U.M. and Maemonah, M., 2021. Analisis Hierarki Kebutuhan Maslow Dalam
Pembelajaran Daring Anak Usia Dasar: Analisis Jurnal Sinta 2 Sampai
6. AULADUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan Dasar Islam, 8(1), pp.51-65.
Liu, Y.Q., Yu, Y., Bai, J.B. and Chen, X.L., 2020. Development and psychometric properties of
the maternal health needs scale in Chinese maternal women. Midwifery, 81, p.102588.
Nangoli and et.al., 2020. Perceived leadership integrity and organisational commitment. Journal
of Management Development, 39(6), pp.823-834.
Parikh, P. and Singh, P., 2018. Need for developing intelligent interfaces for big data analytics in
the microfinance industry. In Big Data Analytics (pp. 1-5). Springer, Singapore.
Yuen and et.al., 2021. Panic buying during COVID-19: Survival psychology and needs
perspectives in deprived environments. International Journal of Disaster Risk
Reduction, 62, p.102421.