Motivation theories: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s two-factor theory

This week’s topics

Motivation theories: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s two-factor theory

1. Starting point: flexible working, wellbeing and stress
2. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: physiological, safety, social, esteem and self-actualisation
3. Herzberg’s 2 factor theory: Motivating factors; causes employees to work harder
4. Hygiene factors: absence of hygiene factors will cause employees to work less hard

What you will be able to do

• 3.4 Discuss the role of motivation theories in improving individual and team performance.

Activity

Start with this week’s 2 videos, then discuss how they apply to this week’s topic and note one example from a real business.

Study materials

Videos

• Remote working · Oak National Academy, Key Stage 4 (GCSE level) · for registered students
• Stress · Oak National Academy, Key Stage 4 (GCSE level) · for registered students

Further resources

• Introduction to Business 2e, ch. 9.3–9.6: Maslow, McGregor, Herzberg, expectancy theory · PDF · OpenStax (2026); pp. 300–308 · for registered students
• HSE INDG430: How to tackle work-related stress · PDF · Health and Safety Executive (UK), 9-page guide for employers · for registered students
• Business Ethics, ch. 10.1: More telecommuting or less? · PDF · OpenStax (2018), costs and benefits of working from home; pp. 274–278 · for registered students
• How to retain rural teachers: hygiene or motivation factors? A case of Western China · Open-access article · Jiang et al. (2023), Frontiers in Psychology. Tests Herzberg's two-factor theory directly: which hygiene and motivator factors keep staff in their jobs. · for registered students
• Hybrid working from home improves retention without damaging performance · Open-access article · Bloom et al. (2024), Nature. Randomised trial at Trip.com: two days a week at home cut resignations by a third with no loss of performance. · for registered students