2.4.3
Maslow's Theory
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Maslow's Theory on Motivation
Maslow’s theory is known as the hierarchy of needs.

Hierarchy of needs
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs provides five categories of needs which a business must cater to if its employees are to be as engaged and motivated as possible.
Self-actualisation
- Self-actualisation occurs when a business gives employees the opportunity to meet their full potential through achievement, responsibility and the development of new skills and knowledge. For example, offering an employee an opportunity to access a management training programme which challenges and develops them could allow an employee to realise their true potential.

Esteem
- Esteem needs are addressed when a business gives employees access to opportunities for promotion and through recognising and celebrating successes. For example, recognising the successes of an employee’s work during an appraisal review could boost their esteem.

Belonging and love
- Belonging and love are addressed when a business gives employees opportunities to build relationships through teamwork and social interactions. For example, a business offering a social club event that allows employees to socialise once a month could meet these social needs.

Safety and physiological needs
- Safety needs are addressed when a business offers employees job security and a safe working environment.
- For example, McDonalds offering employees a guaranteed number of hours and moving away from zero hours contracts gives employees an opportunity to satisfy their safety needs.
- Basic physiological needs are addressed when a business offers pay to employees so that they are able to purchase food and accommodation.

Pros and cons of Maslow's hierarchy
- Maslow’s hierarchy offers businesses with a structured approach to try and improve employee motivation.
- Maslow’s hierarchy assumes that employees will place the same importance on each of their needs as ordered within the hierarchy and this may not apply to all staff.
1Business Organisation & Environment
1.1Introduction to Business Management
1.2Types of Organisation
1.3Organisational Objectives
1.4Stakeholders
1.5External Environment
1.6Growth & Evolution
1.7HL Only: Organisational Planning Tools
2Human Resource Management
2.1Functions & Evolution of Human Resource Management
2.2Organisational Structure
2.3Leadership & Management
2.4Motivation
2.5Organisational (Corporate) Culture
2.6HL Only: Industrial/Employee Relations
3Finance & Accounts
3.1Sources of Finance
3.2Costs & Revenues
3.3Break-Even Analysis
3.4Profitability & Liquidity Ratio Analysis
3.6HL Only: Investment Appraisal
3.7HL Only: Budgets
4Marketing
4.1The Role of Marketing
4.2Marketing Planning
4.3Market Research
4.4The 4 Ps
4.4.1Product Decisions4.4.2Pricing Decisions & Price Skimming4.4.3Pricing Decisions & Price Penetration4.4.4End of Topic Test - Pricing & Competition4.4.5Promotional Decisions4.4.6Promotional Decisions 24.4.7Promotional Decisions 34.4.8Digital Marketing4.4.9Evaluating Digital Marketing4.4.10Case Study - The Marketing Mix & Promotion4.4.11Place & Distribution
4.5HL Only: The Extended Marketing Mix
4.6HL Only: International Marketing
4.7E-Commerce
5Operations Management
5.1The Role of Operations Management
5.2Production Methods
5.3HL Only: Lean Prodution & Quality Management
5.4HL Only: Production Planning
5.5HL Only: Research & Development
Jump to other topics
1Business Organisation & Environment
1.1Introduction to Business Management
1.2Types of Organisation
1.3Organisational Objectives
1.4Stakeholders
1.5External Environment
1.6Growth & Evolution
1.7HL Only: Organisational Planning Tools
2Human Resource Management
2.1Functions & Evolution of Human Resource Management
2.2Organisational Structure
2.3Leadership & Management
2.4Motivation
2.5Organisational (Corporate) Culture
2.6HL Only: Industrial/Employee Relations
3Finance & Accounts
3.1Sources of Finance
3.2Costs & Revenues
3.3Break-Even Analysis
3.4Profitability & Liquidity Ratio Analysis
3.6HL Only: Investment Appraisal
3.7HL Only: Budgets
4Marketing
4.1The Role of Marketing
4.2Marketing Planning
4.3Market Research
4.4The 4 Ps
4.4.1Product Decisions4.4.2Pricing Decisions & Price Skimming4.4.3Pricing Decisions & Price Penetration4.4.4End of Topic Test - Pricing & Competition4.4.5Promotional Decisions4.4.6Promotional Decisions 24.4.7Promotional Decisions 34.4.8Digital Marketing4.4.9Evaluating Digital Marketing4.4.10Case Study - The Marketing Mix & Promotion4.4.11Place & Distribution
4.5HL Only: The Extended Marketing Mix
4.6HL Only: International Marketing
4.7E-Commerce
5Operations Management
5.1The Role of Operations Management
5.2Production Methods
5.3HL Only: Lean Prodution & Quality Management
5.4HL Only: Production Planning
5.5HL Only: Research & Development
Practice questions on Maslow's Theory
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