An Analysis of Motivation Theories for Marks and Spencer Employees

This report examines employee motivation strategies at Marks and Spencer, a prominent retail company. The introduction defines motivation and its importance, setting the stage for an analysis of two key motivational theories. The main body delves into Theory X and Theory Y, exploring how managers adapt strategies based on employee behavior. It then analyzes Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory, explaining how Marks and Spencer addresses employees' physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization needs. The report concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of motivation in achieving organizational goals, suggesting various motivational techniques such as appraisals, recognition, and training. The report incorporates references to academic journals and online resources to support its findings.

Context
Of Business

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAINBODY....................................................................................................................................1
The importance of a motivated workforce by using any two appropriate theories on
motivation...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Motivation is a word which derive from 'Motive' that motivate an individual to work in
effective manner in order to fulfil there needs, desire, drives and want. It can be things like desire
of success, money, job satisfaction, recognition, appraisal, team work and many more (Koster,
2017). This report is based on Marks and Spencer which is established in 1884 and operating
there business in retail industry. Its headquarter is situated in London, United Kingdom and they
serve there products and services in worldwide market. This report explain two motivational
theory which can be used by respective company.
MAINBODY
Describe importance of a motivated workforce by using any two appropriate theories on
motivation
To develop and maintain effective work place at Marks and Spencer there employer
motivate employees so that they accomplish there work in appropriate manner. That help
particular company in attaining goal and objectives in effective ways. For this they use two
motivational theory which is explain below:
Theory X and Theory Y:-
This theory is develop by McGregor in year 1960 and according to him there are two
different aspects of human behaviour at a workplace. One who have negative behaviour and don't
like to work. Whereas another like to work, take responsibilities and have positive attitude. Due
to which respective company manger develop motivational strategies accordingly.
Theory X-
This refers to those peoples who didn't like to work and required close supervisions of
there employers. They basically avoid responsibilities and they work due to desire of money. So
when manager of Marks and Spencer deal with these type of employees they develop different
different motivational activities. That directly and indirectly encourage staff to work in effective
manner and accomplish task in order to attain goal in appropriate ways. For this manger of
respective company adopt various ways like rewarding, appraising, punishing employees
according to situation (Gagné, 2014). Along with this they must provide close supervision to
these type of employees so that there is reduction in mistakes and work accomplish in proper
manner.
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Theory Y-
These are those type of employees whose behaviour is positive and they like to take
responsibilities of work. These type of staffs wants independence in there work, they are self
motivated as well as these employees want to work in effective way (Chen and et.al., 2013).
These peoples didn't required to motivate by employers but to maintain this type of behaviour
manger of Marks and Spencer adopt several ways. Such as they provide opportunities to these
staff for self development, provide training and develop to employees which help in
enhancement of potential. Along with this manger and will encourage these employees so they
also perform like in future.
In respective company both theory X and theory Y both are essential because they give
there contribution in completing work in effective and appropriate manner. Manager of company
also make strategies according to behaviour of both employees.
Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory:-
This theory is develop by Abraham Maslow in year 1943. It is also know as theory of
motivation and describe about motivation of human. It is based on assumption and perception of
different stages of need of an individual which is related to there safety, basic needs, self steam
and more. Respective company adopt this theory of motivation to fulfil desire of employees in
effective manner which motivate them. Explanation of this is given below:-
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Illustration 1: The Five Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(Source: The Five Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, 2019)

Physiological Needs:-
This refers to basic need of a human or employees such as air, water, cloth, food and
shelter. So it is responsibilities of manger and leader of Marks and Spencer that they develop and
maintain environment of workplace which fulfil physiological need of employees. For which
they must maintain comfortable conduction of work, appropriate working hours, provide proper
breaks for eating and drinking and many more.
Safety Needs:-
This stage is related to need of a person which provide them sense of well being and
security. It can be satisfied by various factors like personal security, good health, financial
security, protection from accidents and harm and many more. So manger of respective company
is responsible for developing and providing safe working condition, appropriate salary, provide
job security and many others (Motivating Employees with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, 2019).
Social Needs:-
This stage is related to sense of love and belonging of a person. It is essential for an
individual so that they didn't feel alone, isolated and depressed, this will also affect working of a
person. Manger of Marks and Spencer satisfy social need of employees by assuring that every
employees know each other, motivate staffs for working in team and many more.
Self-Esteems:-
This factor is related to self steam and respect of an individual from other. It is important
for a person to gain respect for there work because it motivate them. Manager of respective
company fulfil self esteems of employees by appraising them, motivating them for there work
performance. By this they feel motivated and connected towards Marks and Spencer.
Self actualizations Need:-
This represent need of a person to full fill there potential which is to become more
successful and high personal. For this manger of Marks and Spencer develop or conduct training
and development programmes for there employees who want to expand there career and want to
do further studies.
CONCLUSION
From above discussed point it can be conclude and analysis that motivation plays an
important role in attaining goal and objective in effective manner. When an employer motivate
there employees in effective manner then they accomplish there work and attain goal in
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appropriate ways. For motivating staffs manager can use various motivational theories like
theory X and Y, Maslow's need hierarchy theory, Herzberg's motivation hygiene theory and
many more. Superiors can also organized some activities related to motivating employees like
appraise and recognise employees, organized activities and sessions, train employees according
to requirements. This will help an organisation in attaining goal and objective in effective
manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Koster, D., 2017. Motivation in the workplace.
Gagné, M. ed., 2014. The Oxford handbook of work engagement, motivation, and self-
determination theory. Oxford Library of Psychology.
Chen, X. and et.al., 2013. Information privacy, gender differences, and intrinsic motivation in the
workplace. International Journal of Information Management. 33(6). pp.917-926.
Online
The Five Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. 2019.[Online] Available
through<https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-
4136760>.
Motivating Employees with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. 2019.[Online] Available
through<https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-needs-theory-motivating-employees-
with-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs.html>.
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