In Herzberg’s motivation theory, there are two sets of factors affecting people’s motivation:
Hygiene factors: these are factors that need to be in place in order to remove workers’ dissatisfaction with their job. These represent pay, working conditions, company policies, relationship with higher levels of the hierarchy, treatment at work etc. Improving these factors should remove dissatisfaction, but it will not motivate the workforce. If these are not met however, there will be a fall in productivity.
Motivators: these are factors that give workers job satisfaction. They represent a sense of achievement, chance of promotion, recognition of effort, responsibility etc. Improving these will make the workers more motivated and will lead to increased productivity.
- Job enlargement: giving workers variety in what they do.
- Job enrichment: giving workers more complex, challenging tasks to exploit their potential.
- Job empowerment: delegating decision making to workers over their areas of job, helping to boost morale.
Advantages
- Job enrichment.
- Makes clear for the business what needs to be done in order to remove dissatisfaction and improve motivation.
Disadvantages
- Job enrichment may be expensive and difficult to organise.
- Workers may get used to improved pay/conditions and take these things for granted.
- Does not apply to all occupations such as low skilled/ paid jobs.
- Research sample included only high skilled workers, therefore findings don’t necessarily apply.
- Not all employees want extra responsibility or stress.
