People, Productivity and Performance

Productivity: What is it?

• A measurement of a firms performance.• How do we increase productivity?• Increase investment in modern equipment• Improve the ability level of those at work• Improve employee motivation. Motivation

matters.

Motivation • Maslow and the hierarchy of needs

• What did he say?

• 1. Everyone has the same needs.

• 2. At the base of the hierarchy are physical needs which are food shelter and warmth. When these are unsatisfied then these will be the persons primary motivations.

• 3. Once they have achieved these physical needs they move on and try to achieve safety needs: safety and security.

Maslow’s levels of human need Business Implication

Physical needs e.g. food shelter and warmth

Pay levels and working conditions

Safety Needs e.g. security, a safe structured environment, freedom from anxiety

Job security, clear job role

Social needs : belonging friendship, contact

Team working , communications and social facilities

Esteem needs e.g. strength , self respect, confidence, status and recognition

Status, recognition for achievement , power and trust

Self actualisation: self fulfilment Develop new skills and to develop ones full potential.

Herzberg's Two Factor Theory

• The theory is taken from 1950’s work into factors affecting a workers job satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

• In summary Motivators have the power to create positive job satisfaction but little downward potential. Hygiene factors will cause job dissatisfaction unless they are provided for, but do not motivate. Pay is a hygiene factor not a motivator.

Motivators can create positive satisfaction

Hygiene factors ( can create job dissatisfaction

Achievement Company policy and admin ( the rules, paperwork and red tape)

Recognition for achievement Supervision

Meaningful interesting work Pay

Responsibility Interpersonal relations

Advancement Working conditions

• Herzberg advised against piece rate because a worker might become inflexible and resistant to change. A salaried employee would work hard and care about quality.

• He advised Job enrichment :

Job Enrichment

• A complete unit of work: people need a fulfilling task.

• Direct Feedback: people like direct feedback• Direct communication: over delays of going

through other people.