Topic 5: Motivation
Managers have control over the environment they create to support motivation. Motivation theories help us understand how to create environments capable of addressing employee needs, employee commitment, engagement, loyalty and satisfaction.
Motivational theories address two areas.
• What motivates a person — or content theories, such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, McGregor’s theory X and theory 1′, Herzberg’s two-factor theory, and McClelland’s acquired needs theory. • Howto motivate a person — these are known as process theories, such as Locke’s goal-setting theory, Adam’s equity theory and Vroom’s expectancy theory.
The short video below by Expert Program Management offers a concise explanation of various content and process motivation theories. We will explore some of these in more detail below.
Motivation Theories Explained in 10 Minutes 110:00 mins]
Motivation Theories Explained in 10 Minutes
Theories of Motivation

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Motivation Theories Explained
1. Content theories Content theories seek to understand the needs that drive behaviour and why people have different needs at different times or situations.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory Maslow (1943) proposed that within every person is a hierarchy of five needs:
1. Physiological needs 2. Safety needs 3. Social needs 4. Esteem needs 5. Self-actualisation needs
Figure 1.6 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Self-actualisation: achieving one’s full potential, including creative activities

Self-fulfillment needs
Esteem needs: prestige and feeling of accomplishment Psychological needs
Belongingness and love needs: intimate relationships, friends

Physiological needs: food, water, warmth, rest

ource Adapted from McLeod, S 2020, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Basic needs