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Markfed Foods Pvt Ltd has appointed a new HR manager, who has completed his MBA from the most renowned institution in India. He was a gold medalist and has also been acknowledged as the best employee during his internship in a firm. Soon after his joining, the management noticed a drastic change in the attitude of workers towards their work. They were willing to accept new challenges, take up more challenging jobs and were able to achieve targets efficiently and effectively. Soon, the company prospered and established its name in the market. On being enquired, he confessed that all this change is attributed to Maslow's Theory of Motivation. Briefly explain Maslows Need Hierarchy Theory and also state the assumptions on which it is based.

Answer:

Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory of Motivation was given by Abraham Maslow. It is based on human hierarchy of five needs which are depicted and explained below:                         (i) Basic Physiological Needs These are the basic needs, which a person is required to satisfy in order to survive. Hunger, thirst, shelter and sleep are some of the examples of these needs. In an organisation, basic salary helps to satisfy these needs. (ii) Safety/Security Needs These needs are concerned with physical, economic and social security, in the form of job security, stability of income, etc. (iii) Affiliation/Belongingness/Social Needs These needs are concerned with affection, sense of belongingness acceptance and friendship. It is fulfilled when employees have cordial relations with colleagues. (iv) Esteem Needs These needs include factors such as self-respect, status and recognition. When these needs are fulfilled through job title, it enhances self-confidence and prestige of employees. (v) Self-actualisation Needs It is the highest level of need in the hierarchy. It arises after the satisfaction of all previously discussed needs. These needs include growth, self-fulfilment and achievement of goals. Assumptions of Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory The main assumptions of Maslow's need hierarchy theory are: (i) People's behaviour is based on their needs. Satisfaction of such needs influences their behaviour. (ii) People's needs are hierarchical in order. They start from basic physiological needs and reach to high level needs. (iii) A satisfied need can no longer motivate a person, only next higher level need can motivate a person. (iv) A person moves to the next higher level need, only when the lower level need is satisfied.