OB Week 3

Question 1

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory

Answer 1

Lower-order needs: Needs that are satisfied externally, such as physiological and safety needs.

Higher-order needs: Needs that are satisfied internally, such as social, esteem and self- actualization needs.

Question 2

Douglas McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y

Answer 2

Theory X — The assumption that employees inherently dislike work, are lazy, dislike responsibility and must be coerced to perform.

Theory Y — The assumption that employees like work, are creative, seek responsibility and can exercise self-direction.

Question 3

Frederick Herzberg’s Two-factor theory (motivation-hygiene theory)

Answer 3

a theory that relates intrinsic factors (advancement, recognition, responsibility and achievement) to job satisfaction and associates extrinsic factors (supervision, pay, company policies, work conditions) with dissatisfaction.

hygiene factors — such as company policy and administration, supervision and salary – that, when adequate in a job, placate workers. When these factors are adequate, people will not be dissatisfied; neither will they be satisfied.

Question 4

McClelland’s theory of needs

Answer 4

a theory which states that achievement, power and affiliation are three important needs / implicit motivating drivers that help explain motivation.

— depending on culture and life experiences one of them is dominant

• Need for achievement (nAch) is the drive to excel, to achieve in relation to a set of standards, to strive to succeed.
  
  • Successful in jobs with a high degree of personal responsibility and feedback and moderate risk
• Need for power (nPow) is the need to make others behave in a way in which they would not have behaved otherwise.
• Need for affiliation (nAff) is the desire for friendly and close interpersonal relationships

Good managers: high need for power + low need for affiliation