Compare and contrast maslow's hierarchy of needs theory with herzberg's two factor theory?

Answer 1

Similarities:

• Both use a hierarchical scale..where one stage must first be fully or largely completed before advancing to the next stage.
• Both are based on the argument that "we behave as we do because we are attempting to fulfill internal needs." (Bartol et al., 2005) i.e. needs theory
• They both specify the criteria as to what motivates people. However, this is controversial because entrepenuers and people from different cultures have different values and norms, and therefore have different criteria or have criteria which are percieved as more important e.g. Greek and Japanese employees stated that safety and physiological needs are more important to them, where as employees from Norway and Sweden saw belongingness needs as being more important.
• Herzberg's hygiene idea corresponds with Manslow's Physiological, Safety and Belongingness needs i.e. they both have the same critieria (basic pay, work conditions etc...)
• Also, Herzberg's motivators idea corresponds with Manslow's Esteem and Self-Actualisation needs i.e. they both have the same criteria (recognition, growth, achievement etc...).
• Both theories are influenced by environmental conditions, employee attitudes and as a result, their motivation. These influence an employees performance.

Differences:

• Maslow says that each stage of the 5 must be fully or largely completed before advancing to the next stage..however, Herzberg suggested that there were only 2 stages (hygiene and motivators) instead of 5.
• Maslow said that fulfilling each stage is a motivator, however Herzberg said that fulfilling the hygiene stage only results in an employee being in neutral state and that satisfaction and motivation only comes from the 2nd stage (motivator).

If you are answering this question in an academic report, essay or whatever...make sure you define motivation..and if it is just a report, include diagrams in your discussion and possibly make your own diagrams to illustrate the differences or similarities. It is also a good idea to include quotes to backup statements you have made. Also, it is good to provide examples where possible. These can help extend your argument and fulfill any amount of page or word requirement that your report or essay must achieve. Remember, 'The Devil' is in the detail so make sure whatever you say that it is completely accurate. that can be the difference between a 60% mark and a 90% mark.

If you need more similarities and differences go to a library and use books and databases..they provide you with a lot of useful information.

Answer 2

Both Maslow's hierarchy and Herzberg's two factor theories both deal with human motivation and what leads to human satisfaction. According to Maslow's hierarchy, humans will not focus on higher needs--which lead to satisfaction--if lower needs aren't met, but when their lower needs are met they are no longer important. Herzberg's two factor theory explores motivators that make work satisfying and what he calls hygiene factors, which are neutral when present and dissatisfying when missing.

Answer 3

As we compare Frederick Herzberg's two factor theory and Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, they both specify the criteria as to what motivates people. We would also come to realise that Abraham Maslow's theory is has a wider approach where as Herzberg's theory considers work situations, his studies basically derive from within the work environment. With Herzberg's theory there is no specific order when we look at the factors that cause employees to be dissatisfied.