Describe and compare the basic contributions of Maslow and Herzberg to the understanding of worker motivation How do their theories differ from one another?

Answer 1

Similarities:

• Both use a hierarchical scale..where one stage must first be fully or largely completed before advancing to the next stage.
• Both are based on the argument that "we behave as we do because we are attempting to fulfill internal needs." (Bartol et al., 2005) i.e. needs theory
• They both specify the criteria as to what motivates people. However, this is controversial because entrepenuers and people from different cultures have different values and norms, and therefore have different criteria or have criteria which are percieved as more important e.g. Greek and Japanese employees stated that safety and physiological needs are more important to them, where as employees from Norway and Sweden saw belongingness needs as being more important.
• Herzberg's hygiene idea corresponds with Manslow's Physiological, Safety and Belongingness needs i.e. they both have the same critieria (basic pay, work conditions etc...)
• Also, Herzberg's motivators idea corresponds with Manslow's Esteem and Self-Actualisation needs i.e. they both have the same criteria (recognition, growth, achievement etc...).
• Both theories are influenced by environmental conditions, employee attitudes and as a result, their motivation. These influence an employees performance.

Differences:

• Maslow says that each stage of the 5 must be fully or largely completed before advancing to the next stage..however, Herzberg suggested that there were only 2 stages (hygiene and motivators) instead of 5.
• Maslow said that fulfilling each stage is a motivator, however Herzberg said that fulfilling the hygiene stage only results in an employee being in neutral state and that satisfaction and motivation only comes from the 2nd stage (motivator).

Answer 2

Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory emphasizes that individuals are motivated by a progression of needs ranging from basic physiological needs to self-actualization. Herzberg's two-factor theory distinguishes between hygiene factors, which prevent dissatisfaction, and motivators, which promote satisfaction and motivation. Maslow's theory focuses on a hierarchy of needs that must be fulfilled in sequence, while Herzberg's theory suggests that satisfaction and dissatisfaction are influenced by different factors.