Motivation theories
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| motivation | 激励 | jī lì |
| scientific management | 科学管理 | kē xué guǎn lǐ |
| piece rates | 计件工资 | jì jiàn gōng zī |
| hygiene factors | 保健因素 | bǎo jiàn yīn sù |
| motivators | 激励因素 | jī lì yīn sù |
| hierarchy | 层级 | céng jí |
| self-actualisation | 自我实现 | zì wǒ shí xiàn |
| recognition | 认可 | rèn kě |
| human relations | 人际关系 | rén jì guān xì |
What makes people work hard?
- Two workers, same job, same pay — one is energised, the other watches the clock. Why?
- Generations of theorists have tried to explain motivation 激励, and their ideas still shape management today.
F.W. Taylor argued that workers are mainly motivated by:
Taylor's scientific management stressed pay and piece rates.
Taylor: money motivates
- F.W. Taylor (scientific management 科学管理) argued workers are mainly motivated by money.
- Break work into simple tasks, measure it, and pay piece rates 计件工资 — more output, more pay.
Herzberg: hygiene factors 保健因素 stop unhappiness; motivators 激励因素 give real motivation
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Maslow said people are motivated by needs in order — satisfy the lower ones first, then they aim higher.
In Maslow's hierarchy, which need is satisfied first?
Lower (physiological) needs must be met before higher ones motivate.
Maslow arranged human needs in a ______, with the most basic at the bottom.
Each level must be met before the next motivates.
Maslow: a hierarchy 层级 of needs
- Maslow said people are motivated by a hierarchy of needs, lowest first.
- Once a level is met, the next becomes the motivator — up to self-actualisation 自我实现.
People satisfy lower needs first; only then do higher needs motivate.
In Herzberg's theory, pay and working conditions are:
Hygiene factors stop dissatisfaction; motivators create satisfaction.
Mayo's human relations school argued that social needs and teamwork affect motivation.
Mayo found attention and social factors raised performance.
Herzberg and Mayo
- Herzberg: hygiene factors (pay, conditions) prevent dissatisfaction; motivators (achievement, recognition 认可) create real satisfaction.
- Mayo: the human relations 人际关系 school — teamwork, attention and social needs matter, not just money.
Money is necessary but not sufficient. Taylor over-stressed pay; Herzberg showed pay only stops people being unhappy — genuine motivation comes from the work itself, recognition and responsibility.
You've got it
- Taylor: money + piece rates motivate
- Maslow: a hierarchy of needs, lowest first, up to self-actualisation
- Herzberg: hygiene factors stop dissatisfaction, motivators create satisfaction; Mayo: social needs matter