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AS Economics & Business                                                Johirul Islam

Why People Work

Work is an application of mental or physical effort to a purpose, which usually earns a wage or salary or provides other rewards, though some work, like housework remains unpaid.  Work is an important element in occupying and directing the individual’s time. The demand of working life involves a high degree of discipline if jobs are to be kept.

In this assignment I will be considering and explaining the importance of motivation in the work force and also be interviewing a few people and then giving details of wages and other rewards for working; working conditions and other factors that influence their motivation.  I will also review a variety of theories, which categorise workers.

In business, motivation shows how satisfied or dissatisfied people are at work.  Nowadays in the work force motivation is needed to increase employee output. If employees are motivated, they will be more likely to achieve business goals.  Many people believe that they are motivated by earning money, but this is not entirely true, because other factors like variety of workplace and the need to be appreciated for the work they do.  The need to be appreciated for the work they do may be reflected in the prestige attached to their job, and while the need for a variety in the workplace may be satisfied by an interesting job.

A factor, which effects motivation, is that every individual has different needs. For example an employee may prefer to work on his or her own than in a friendly team.  In order to have good motivation employees needs have to be found. This is shown in how lack of motivation equals reduced effort and lack of commitment.  An example of how employee’s needs could be satisfied is through involving them in discussions so that they feel recognized and wanted. In the long term this may result in the employee being willing to work longer hours or take responsibility.

In 1954Abraham Maslow, proposed a hierarchy of needs to explain human behaviour.  Maslow identified five classes of needs these included physiological needs, safety needs, and love and belonging, esteem needs and self-actualisation. The needs, which Maslow identified at the bottom of the pyramid, are based on basic needs concerned with survival needs such as eating and sleeping, and these must be satisfied before a person can go to the next level. For example some people may be more concerned with basic needs such as food, than anything else. Although it must be noted that once each need has been satisfied the ones below become less important, with exception to self-actualisation at the top, Maslow argued that although everybody is capable, very few actually reach this level.

(See appendix 1)

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AS Economics & Business                                                Johirul Islam

                                                

Douglas McGregor had two theories ‘theory X’ and ‘theory Y’.  McGregor’s theory X manager believes that an employee dislikes work and avoid if possible.  As a result, theory X workers must be controlled, directed and threatened with punishment if necessary to make them work.  McGregor’s theory Y manager believes that an employee finds work as natural as play or rest.  As a result, they are able and willing to organise, control and direct themselves, and accept authority and responsibility.  Control and punishment are not effective ways to get the theory Y employee to work. ...

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