Alderfer’s ERG Theory
“The modified hierarchy model has been presented by Alderfer. This model condenses Maslow’s five level of need into only three levels based on the core needs of existence, relatedness and growth” (Mullins, 2010, P264). Below is a brief explanation of the three levels;· Existence needs- refers to our concern with basic material existence motivators.
· Relatedness needs- refers to what drives individuals to maintain personal relationship.
· Growth needs-is concern with personal development.
This theory is a lot like Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs except its more balanced. One of the similarities of Alderfer’s ERG theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs is that they both suggest that individuals progress through the hierarchy. However Alderfer believe that more than one need can be trigger at the same time which results in the needs being more of a continuum rather than a hierarchy.
There are many reasons why I started my course but I guess the main reasons are the fact that I have always wanted to go to university from since I was younger as I have always love knowledge. The second reason is financial, like most people money is important to me and in today’s society graduating from university helps to give you a leg up on the employment ladder. My main motivation however has got to be my dad, he’s always wanted to go to university but for various reasons never had the opportunity so from a young age he instil this love of books into me and there was no doubt in his mind that I’ll go university. Over all I would self-improvement is the main reason why I am at university. I want to ensure that for whatever industry that I decide to go into I am prepared hence the reason for me being at university. I feel that it would provide me with some of the tools and skill along with the knowledge that I need to take that next step in my professional life. One of the things that motivated me to start university as I mention above is for growth, for a chance to develop and learn new skills and expand on the knowledge that I already have.
I am a very determine person and the more you try to tell me I can’t do something it’s the more you motivate me to work even harder to prove you wrong. That will be my motivation for the next 2-3 years of university and the fact that I always love to finish whatever I started along with my hatred of failing. I think that my personal motivation can be related to all three types of needs in Alderfer’s ERG theory. Take Existence needs for example; I have such a determination to be successful that I started university. My need to survive is the driving forces behind my need to be successful. The reason for this is because I see university as one of the contributing facts to me gaining success; this is what keeps me motivated. I am always striving to improve myself, to develop and learn more which relates to Growth needs.
The most de-motivated I have ever been at work was because I thought I was being treated unfairly and that I was not supported by my manager. According to Adam’s Equity theory which is based on how fairly individuals think they are being treated. There was a change in contribution which according to Adam is known as a “Change to input” as a I began to not wanting to work as hard as I use to since I left that my hard work wasn’t being recognize. However in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs I would be at step three which is Social. The reason for this is because my Social needs weren’t met as there was no sense of belonging. As a result of feeling that I was being treated unfairly neither of the two factors in Herzberg’s two factor’s theory was met. The reason for this is because this theory focuses on the individual needs of people rather than a group collective need.
My love for my job helped to re-motivate me. The fact that I love my job and that I need the money was motivation enough for me to work even harder than I ever had before. If I had to do something differently it would be to not let the unprofessional and offensive attitude of my manager affect my work because this would affect the way my customers see me as a person. My job is to help them, if I am being bitter and upset I would only make the situation worse.
Base on the information above I have notices that Alderfer’s ERG theory relates a lot to my everyday life. There are so many references that I can make to the ERG theory.
Reference
1. Mullins. L. J. Published 1985. Latest edition (9th) 2010.Management & Organisational Behaviour. Essex. Pearson Education Limited
A good first blog Kanika, well done! However it is quite hard to read particularly the models with the black background. Good work on Alderfer some mention of what content theories are to begin would be good, also you refer to Adam's which is a process theory, I do understand why, it's just jumping ahead! Reference throughout and remember to include text books as well as the internet!
ReplyDelete