The expanded Maslow hierarchy of needs
The expanded Maslow hierarchy of needs
Human
as a rational animal, any kind of labor (human resource) should have a
motivational driver to do their job efficiently or minimal supervision. It
could be either monetary or psychological factor. According to Maslow there is
a hierarchy of need which drives human needs. This might affect irrespective of
the work design or the job design in place in the organization. We have seen
Taylorism, Fordism and nowadays we have arrived to the digital world which
talks about agility in the workplace with the knowledge based work
environments.
It is
important to note that Maslow's (1943, 1954) five stage model has been expanded
to include cognitive and aesthetic needs (Maslow, 1970a) and later
transcendence needs (Maslow, 1970b).
Changes
to the original five-stage model are indented and include a seven-stage model
and a eight-stage model, both developed during the 1960's and 1970s.
1. Biological and
Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc.
2. Safety needs -
protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, etc.
3. Love and
belongingness needs - friendship, intimacy, affection and love, - from work
group, family, friends, romantic relationships.
4. Esteem needs -
self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige,
managerial responsibility, etc.
5. Cognitive
needs - knowledge, meaning, etc.
6. Aesthetic needs - appreciation and
search for beauty, balance, form, etc.
7.
Self-Actualization needs - realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment,
seeking personal growth and peak experiences.
8. Transcendence needs - helping
others to achieve self-actualization.
However,
this will not be appropriate for the all of the work environments, therefore it
will be again subject to how they have designed and built the organizations.
But we have seen living example of companies have evolved with the use of
Autonomous Work Groups, Toyota Production Systems etc. Again, these systems
were not just born out of the sky or successes of the system were not just
perfect because these are rule of thumb. These were evolved from the practice
of small improvements and nutrition of the required factors such as top
management commitment, culture, knowledge of the people etc.
In
this team formation process, sometimes it will take time to form a team to work
effectively, in other words there is a stages of team development. Especially,
in the first stages like forming, storming stages might have little output
compared to stages like norming and performing. On the other hand, within a
team each member has to pay a different type of roles to achieve desired objectives.
Another
concept would be to bring flexibility into teams; a flexible company is willing
to try new approaches, even when the old ways are working fine. Continuous
approach of this always tender to foster innovations and bring down cost
cutting in the organizations. Therefore, it paramount important to promote
types of flexibility such as functional, numerical, financial etc. within the
teams as well as with companies to pave the way into innovations and cost
cutting rather than stick into rigidity.
Conclusion
When
designing the work or the job, there should be a clear idea how efficient the
workers are willing to work. Different approaches make different environments
in the organization. Nowadays digitalization plays a major role if an employer
includes this, there will be an ice breaking point in the organization.
Best practice
at MAS Linea Clothing
From
2007 (when the concept TLGL implemented) we have conducted researches to find
the best method in managing people. In 2011 we have finalized SOP’s (Standard
On Process-it’s a standard document which include how to a desired work
systematically) in job roles & responsibilities for each and every position
including TL,GL & managers, where the SOP is evaluate annually.
References
Ø
People and Originations: Principles and Practice
in Global Contexts, HRM and the Design of Work.
Ø Maslow, A. H. (1954). Motivation
and personality. New York: Harper and Row.
Ø
Maslow, A. H. (1970b). Religions, values, and peak experiences. New York: Penguin.
Nicely approached to the topic with simple descriptions and criticism at the end. Would have been better if you could describe further a bit on application at your work place with the relationship to the theory. Overall, a very good writing.
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