An Analysis of Motivation Theories and Workplace Applications

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of various motivation theories and their practical implications in the modern workplace. It begins by introducing the concept of motivation and its significance in influencing individual behavior and achieving organizational goals. The main body of the essay delves into three key theories: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, and McClelland's Three Needs Theory. Maslow's theory is explored in detail, outlining the different levels of needs and how they impact employee motivation. Herzberg's theory, also known as the two-factor or hygiene theory, is discussed in the context of creating a positive and safe working environment. Finally, McClelland's Three Needs Theory is examined, highlighting the importance of affiliation, power, and achievement in motivating employees. The essay concludes by summarizing the importance of motivation theories for business organizations and their application in directing the actions of employees.

Individual Essay

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
The term motivation is used for describing the reasons that forms the base for an
individual’s actions and behaviour. Motivation theories are the studies based on the
understanding of matters that initiates the behaviour in the individual for working towards the
completion of certain tasks to achieve the desired results. Motivational theories are extensively
used in the organizations for encouraging the employees to work according to the behaviour best
suited by the managers for accomplishment of organizational goals. The report will discuss
theories of motivation and their implication in modern workplace.
MAIN BODY
MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
Abraham Maslow proposed an idea of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs in his paper ‘A
Theory of Human Motivation’. In order to understand better the factors that motivates humans
Maslow bifurcated and organized the needs of human into a hierarchy.
The theory is based on the assumption that an individual move one step ahead onto the
higher level, from bottom to top in the hierarchy only when his need at the existing level
satisfies. The different levels in hierarchy are namely physiological needs, safety needs, love and

belongingness, self-esteem, and lastly at the top of the pyramid is self-actualization (Maslow's
Hierarchy of Needs, 2022).
Physiological needs are the needs that are essential for the survival of human beings. This
stage includes the basic requirements of an individual in order to ensure its survival. These
includes water, food, shelter, homeostasis, air, nutrition, appropriate temperature. In order to
motivate a person first his basic life sustenance needs are to be satisfied.
Once the physiological needs of an individual are satisfied he seeks forward for achieving
the safety needs that is on the second level in the need hierarchy of Maslow. After the individual
gets all the basic facilities that are essential for the survival. The next factor that motivates the
individual to work further and increase the productivity is the security needs. An individual at
this level can be motivated by giving the sense of security to him. Security here means financial
security, job security, security from law and order perspective, security for the family, these
needs are fulfilled by the society of which the individual is a part and one’s family. Security also
includes possession of wealth, property, good health and wellbeing. Management of modern
times focuses on giving accommodation to the employees and brings policies concentrating on
the wellbeing of employees to motivate them.
Love and belongingness needs comes next moving to the higher level in the need
pyramid. Once the individual feels safe both financially, emotionally and physically the next
factors that can be fulfilled in order to motivate the individual is giving the feeling of being loved
and accepted. These needs of the employees are satisfied from their relationships which includes
relations with friends, family (Zhang, JU and XI, 2018). Modern workplace by allowing
employees to manage their personal life with professional lives motivates them to work.
Esteem needs comes after the third level of needs is satisfied by the individual. The
esteem needs mean the feeling that an individual have when things are accomplished, gets
respect from other and sees that the self-worth is enhancing. These needs are satisfied at modern
workplace by respecting the efforts of the employees and recognizing them through fair
appraisals and promotions.
The last level at the Maslow’s need hierarchy theory is self-actualization needs. These
needs of an individual are satisfied when the individual realises his full potential. This need is
satisfied at the modern workplace through programs that continually supports learning and
development of the employees. Employees that this level are aware and concerned about their

growth, they do not give much emphasis to what others think and concentrates on fulfilling their
potential.
As discussed there are various motivation theories used by management team in the
company in order to encourage staff members so that they can work effectively towards
company's goals (Kothe and et.al., 2019). Motivating staff is a critical factor in the business
success but as it has been noted that every person is different in nature and not everyone
responds in the same way to a particular situation or business environment. It is very essential
for the company's management team to not only understand the different personality and their
characteristics but also to know what drives these particular personalities in the company. By
using effective motivation theories such as Herzberg's motivation theory and McClelland's three
needs theory.
HERZBERG'S MOTIVATION THEORY
In a modern workplace it is very important to use effective motivation theory in order to
engage employees. Basically, this motivation theory is also called as two factor or hygiene
theory. This theory of motivation says that when it comes to work employees working in the
company have two categories of needs- motivators and hygiene (Kotni and Karumuri, 2018). It is
very important for the managers and top-level management team along with HR Professionals to
create positive and safe working t place for the employees so that they can easily work towards
their goals. A motivated employee always works with confidence and eagerly waiting for next
task. Hygiene means working environment provided and developed by the company such as
wages, salary, benefits, compensations, working hours, conditions of working. While on the
other side motivator are the major factors that motivate employees to work harder for achieving
success. Basically by using this motivation theory manager can easily enhance the confidence
among people. With the implementation of this theory in modern workplace, managers can
easily motivate people to work harder and passionately for the promotion, job recognition and
goals achievement.
According to herzberg, if working people in the company are not so happy with the
working environment and task given by managers then it can impact their individual and group
performance (Thant and Chang, 2021). So, managers need to keep these things in mind and
provide support in every aspect. While on the other side, if employees and workers are really
happy at work then they can easily work effectively this is because the management team have

fulfilled their needs and understand their perspectives. Leaders and managers in the company use
management and leadership h skills such as communication skills, time management and
teamwork skills in order to motivate employees to create a positive working environment. By
doing, so they are able to create safe working place with motivate staff members. By providing
promotion and incentive the company can satisfy the needs and requirements of employees
which in turn lead to high productivity level. When the firms looking to create and established a
positive workplace with motivated employees need to find out the balance between building a
harmonious work environment providing competitive wages. Not only this they must provide job
security while creating rewarding work which can encourage staff members (Alrawahi and et.al.,
2020). By this motivation theory, employees can feel they are valued by the company. With
these techniques of motivation, the company's managers can easily foster the job experience and
opportunities for staff members to make their way up the career ladder.
MCCLELLAND'S THREE NEEDS THEORY
In the earlier times when new ideas were not much used by the company, there was
traditional method t such as salary and wages. Payment was considered a key motivator in the
workplace. But now in new modern world where competition is very high companies are finding
new ways to motivate employees (Theories of Motivation and Their Application in
Organizations: A Risk Analysis, 2022). Many companies are investing more on training sessions
and different effective programs in order to motivate employees. Few firms are allowing people
to work from home in this way as per the convenience of employees the companies are
developing their programs and giving more job opportunities to staff members. In order to
support these techniques, McClelland has developed three main needs of motivation theory
(Rybnicek, Bergner and Gutschelhofer, 2019).
Need for Affiliation- Nowadays, people want to be social in order to learn new things
and develop their skills. According to McClelland this person is working at home in a group
environment. Employees work well when they are working in a team and group projects. Social
interaction is much-needed when talking about motivation.
Need for power- when the person is having good position along with power they are
motivated.

Need for achievement- it is essential for managers to support people to achieve their task
because this type of person is engaged when they achieve objectives and thrive on challenging
situations.
CONCLUSION
Based on the above report it has been concluded that motivation is the set of reasons that
forms the base for the behaviour or actions of an individual. The report has concluded that the
motivational theories are highly important to a business organization for directing the actions of
employees by motivating them towards the goals of the organization. The report has explained
three motivation theories namely, Maslow’s need hierarchy theory, Herzberg’s motivation theory
and McClelland’s Three needs theory. The report has outlined the application of these theories in
the modern workplace.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alrawahi, S. and et.al., 2020. The application of Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation to
job satisfaction in clinical laboratories in Omani hospitals. Heliyon. 6(9). p.e04829.
Kothe, E. J. and et.al., 2019. Protection motivation theory and pro‐environmental behaviour: A
systematic mapping review. Australian Journal of Psychology. 71(4). pp.411-432.
Kotni, V. D. P. and Karumuri, V., 2018. Application of Herzberg two-factor theory model for
motivating retail salesforce. IUP Journal of Organizational Behavior. 17(1). pp.24-42.
Rybnicek, R., Bergner, S. and Gutschelhofer, A., 2019. How individual needs influence
motivation effects: a neuroscientific study on McClelland’s need theory. Review of
Managerial Science. 13(2). pp.443-482.
Thant, Z. M. and Chang, Y., 2021. Determinants of public employee job satisfaction in
Myanmar: Focus on Herzberg’s two factor theory. Public Organization Review. 21(1).
pp.157-175.
Zhang, H., JU, Y. H. and XI, G., 2018. The effect analysis of Maslow′ s hierarchy of needs
theory in elderly patients with stroke. Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing, pp.1060-
1064.
Online
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. 2022. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4136760>
Theories of Motivation and Their Application in Organizations: A Risk Analysis. 2022. [online]:
available through <https://researchleap.com/theories-motivation-application-
organizations-risk-analysis/>
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