Theories Of Motivation Case Study

Needs theories of motivation have been the subject of considerable criticism. Are needs theories of motivation relevant to contemporary management practice?

Motivating employees successfully has always been an essential and arduous task for management bodies. As motivation is found to be unique in the case of each individual, managers must provide an extended range of techniques to keep their workers motivated. Consequently, it is essential that there is an understanding of the psychological processes involved in motivation. Needs theories attempt to identify internal factors that drive a person 's performance, originating from an underlying foundation that an individual’s motivation stems from a yearning to satisfy or accomplish a need. By extension, these theories also explain that individuals are driven by unsatisfied needs, and before greater needs can be accomplished, first lower needs must be met.

The notion that workers are motivated predominately by pay was first extended by Frederick Winslow Taylor. The Theory of Scientific Management contended that employees naturally dislike work, so it was most beneficial to management to break up work into small, repetitive tasks. The suitable training and tools would then be given to the workers to ensure they can work as proficiently as possible on one task. Payment is then given in accordance to

The case study by Cangemi (2009) demonstrates one instance of how the concept of needs can provide a framework for front line managers to change employee behaviour. The managers’ awareness of employee needs and the possibility of these needs changing over time enabled them to modify their management style to improve organizational outcomes. The important thing to remember is that individuals have varying needs and managers can leverage those needs to increase employee