FY021 Case Study: Motivating Employees at Jack Discount Stores

This case study analyzes the application of motivational theories within Jack Discount Stores, a new venture by Tesco. The report delves into Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's two-factor theory, examining their relevance in enhancing employee motivation and productivity within the retail environment. The study explores how Tesco aims to foster a positive work culture and ensure employee satisfaction to compete effectively in the discount market. The report also discusses the practical implications of these theories, considering factors such as pay, working conditions, opportunities for growth, and recognition, to recommend effective strategies for motivating the workforce at Jack Discount Stores. The conclusion summarizes the importance of human resource management in fostering a productive and engaged workforce.

Introduction to
Business
Studies

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.................................................................................................................................................3
Maslow’s need hierarchy theory.............................................................................................................3
Herzberg’s two factor theory of motivation............................................................................................4
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management refers to a term which is used in order to describe those
systems which are used to control people within an organization (Doh, Luthans and Slocum,
2016). It is a job which is performed by HR managers. This report is based on Jack Discount
Stores which have been launched by Tesco to take on its competitors in the market. In this
report, a detailed analysis will be made on theories of motivation and their application in Jack
Discount Stores to increase the motivation level of staff in the stores.
MAIN BODY
Maslow’s need hierarchy theory
Maslow’s need hierarchy theory focuses on needs of human beings in a hierarchical order
(Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, 2020). Needs are arranged in a particular order ranging from
higher-order needs to lower-order needs. The explanation of these needs is as follows-
 Physiological needs- These are the most basic needs for the human beings which are
essential for their survival. Tesco must look to fulfill these needs as they are very basic
and their fulfillment will improve the motivation of employees at Jack Discount Stores.
 Safety needs- These needs are related with safety and security (Fletcher, De Massis and
Nordqvist, 2016). In the context of Tesco, they are important as fulfillment of these needs
will improve the motivation of workers at Jack Discount Stores.
 Social needs- These needs are important because social interaction, companionship and
belongingness are required by all human beings. Tesco’s managers must fulfill these
needs because they will lead to improvement in motivation of employees at Jack
Discount Stores.

 Esteem needs- These needs are important because esteem and self-respect needs are
valued by a lot of employees. The managers of Tesco need to fulfill these needs so that
the esteem of employees at Jack Discount Stores is maintained.
 Self-Actualization needs- These are higher-order needs. These needs can be fulfilled by
managers of Tesco by giving the employees of Jack Discount Stores challenging work so
that they can maximize their efficiency, effectiveness and productivity level.
Advantages-
 Simple to understand- Maslow’s theory is quite simple to understand. Thus it becomes
quite easier for the managers of a particular organization to apply this theory in the
context of an organization. The managers can find out the needs and requirements of the
employees and can fulfill them which will lead to enhancement of their level of
motivation and which will benefit the company in the short-run as well as the long-run.
 It takes into account human nature- Maslow’s theory takes into account the nature of
human beings. It divides the needs into different levels. Thus it becomes easier for the
managers of a company to find out the needs which are important for employees so that
they can fulfill them leading to enhancement of motivation level of employees.
Limitations-
 Lack of base for hierarchical structure- Maslow’s theory which provides hierarchical
order of needs lacks base according to some researchers. Thus this theory may not
provide accurate results for the managers of a particular organization.
 Lack of direct relationship- Maslow’s theory places its focus on needs of human beings
and sometimes there is a lack of direct relationship of needs with behavior. Therefore this
theory may not establish a direct relationship between needs and behavior.
Herzberg’s two factor theory of motivation
Herzberg’s two factor theory concentrates on factors which motivate the employees at the
workplace (Kolk, 2016). These factors are- Hygiene Factors and Motivation Factors. This theory
can be used by managers of Tesco to provide the best environment for its employees at Jack
Discount Stores to work in so that it raises their motivation level and increases their efficiency,
effectiveness and productivity.
Hygiene factors-
 Quality of supervision- Supervision must be of good quality (Maresch and et.al., 2016).
The managers of Tesco should ensure that employees at Jack Discount Stores are
supervised.
 Pay- Pay given to workers must be satisfactory. Managers of Tesco should aim at giving
a fair pay to their workers at Jack Discount Stores.

 Company policies- Company policies must be fair for all employees. Tesco’s managers
should ensure that no discrimination is made between employees working at Jack
Discount Stores.
 Physical working conditions- Physical working conditions are necessary for motivation.
Thus managers of Tesco need to aim at providing good physical working conditions to
workers at Jack Discount Stores.
Motivation factors-
 Promotion opportunities- Promotion opportunities need to be provided to employees
(Rossier, Bühlmann and Mach, 2017). The managers of Tesco should ensure this.
 Opportunities for personal growth- This is necessary for increase in motivation level.
The managers of Tesco have to ensure this.
 Recognition- It is necessary for motivation of workers. The managers of Tesco need to
provide their employees with adequate recognition.
 Responsibility- It means giving the workers certain responsibility for tasks. It is
important for Tesco’s managers to give responsibility to workers.
Advantages-
 Treats money as hygiene factor- This theory treats money as a hygiene factor which is
an advantage for a firm.
 Helps in removing problems- This theory helps the management a lot in removing the
various problems which are present within the organization. This theory can help the
management in addressing those factors which reduce the motivation level of the
workers. Therefore this is an advantage for the managers of any organization as they can
easily address the issues effectively.
Limitations-
 Based on small sample- This theory is based on research on a small sample. Therefore
its conclusions are quite unreliable. The sample size is not large and therefore the data
collected cannot be relied upon by the managers.
 Sample taken from a rich country- The sample has been taken from a rich country for
this theory. Therefore it cannot be practical to apply this theory in poor countries.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that human resource management is necessary
within an organization. Maslow’s theory can be used by the management to understand the
motivational needs. Herzberg’s theory can be used by the managers to focus on factors which
can motivate the employees in an organization.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Doh, J. P., Luthans, F. and Slocum, J., 2016. The world of global business 1965–2015:
Perspectives on the 50th anniversary issue of the Journal of World Business: Introduction to the
special issue.
Fletcher, D., De Massis, A. and Nordqvist, M., 2016. Qualitative research practices and family
business scholarship: A review and future research agenda. Journal of family business
strategy. 7(1). pp.8-25.
Kolk, A., 2016. The social responsibility of international business: From ethics and the
environment to CSR and sustainable development. Journal of World Business. 51(1). pp.23-34.
Maresch, D. and et.al., 2016. The impact of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial
intention of students in science and engineering versus business studies university
programs. Technological forecasting and social change. 104. pp.172-179.
Rossier, T., Bühlmann, F. and Mach, A., 2017. The Rise of Professors of Economics and
Business Studies in Switzerland: Between Scientific Reputation and Political Power. European
Journal of Sociology/Archives Européennes de Sociologie. 58(2). pp.295-326.
Online
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html>