Group Theory

Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory- Workplace Influences

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•     Frederick Herzberg states that people in the workplace are influenced by two factors-
Motivation factors- Satisfaction and psychological growth
Hygiene factors- Dissatisfaction
•     Herzberg developed this theory during an investigation of 200 engineers and accountants
•     The significance of the theory
 
•     Job satisfiers deal with factors involved in doing a job and job dissatisfiers deal with elements that define job context
•     These ideas relate to modern ethical management, social responsibility, and the psychological contract
•     Herzberg’s theory is an attempt to manage people properly as well as bring humanity and caring into the workplace
 
•     His research showed that individuals will strive to achieve “hygiene” needs because they are not satisfied without them. However, satisfaction is temporary
•     Most individuals are only truly motivated by enabling them to be able to satisfy the factors that Herzberg identified such as advancement, development, and achievement
•     Herzberg’s research experiment
 
•     Data were collected from 200 engineers and accountants in the Pittsburgh area
•     Each respondent listed events that marked changes in feelings in the workplace and also other interpretations of what factors led to their satisfaction in the workplace such as:
            Achievement
            Intrinsic interest in the work done
            Advancement
            Responsibility
 
•     What do most individuals want from their jobs?
•     Do employees just want to make a higher salary?
            Security?
            Opportunities for advancement?
            Good relationships with their co-workers?
            Or something else?
 
•     By analyzing these interviews, Herzberg found that job characteristic related to the nature of the work an individual performs
•     However, he found that the absence of gratifying job characteristics did not appear to lead to dissatisfaction or unhappiness
•     Instead, he found that dissatisfaction resulted from unfavorable assessments
•     Purpose of the study and what it means in today’s workplace
•     Purpose of the study was to develop the Herzberg theory and its application to an organization in order to increase its worker’s productivity
•     The Two-Factor Theory is one of the most known and accepted job enrichment methods used today
•     The study caused considerable controversy among behaviorists
•     Motivators
•     A sense of achievement meaning employees will know that due to their hard work, the business will be grow
•     Recognition of workers contribution. Giving credit to the employees as well as making them feel good about themselves
•     Intrinsic motivators represent less tangible, more emotional needs as well as challenging work
•     Extrinsic motivators represent more tangible and basic needs such as job security, pay, and fringe benefits
•     Motivational factors

•     Career advancement

•     Personal Growth

•     Recognition

•     Achievement

•     Responsibility

•    Hygiene

•     Factor that has the effect to demotivate workers
•     Affect the conditions of the workplace
•     Elements of life or work that don’t increase satisfaction but can lead to dissatisfaction if they are missing
•     Hygiene factors
•     Rate of pay
•     Relations with others
•     Quality of supervision
•     Job security
•     Company Policies
•     Satisfaction and dissatisfaction
•     Satisfaction and dissatisfaction are independent of one another where one can increase and the other doesn’t have to diminish
•     Satisfaction– Motivator factors
•     Dissatisfaction- Hygiene factors
•     First step- eliminate job dissatisfaction
•     To get rid of hygiene factors which cause dissatisfaction
            Fix obstructive company policies
            provide supportive and non-intrusive supervision
            Create and support respect and dignity
            Ensure wages are competitive
            Build job status by providing meaningful work

•     Second step- Create job satisfaction

•     Provide opportunities for achievement
•     Give credit for work done to who did it
•     Create rewarding work that compliments the skills of the employee
•     Provide advancement opportunities
•     Offer development opportunities
•     Conclusion
 
•     By correcting hygiene matters, the working environment will improve which will help keep employees happy as well
•     By following Herzberg’s theory, the business and its workers will benefit
•     Motivated and happy workers will boost productivity

 

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