Motivation Theories

Understanding what motivates employees is central to effective human resource management. The AQA A-Level specification requires knowledge of three key motivation theorists: Frederick Winslow Taylor, Abraham Maslow and Frederick Herzberg. Each offers a different perspective on why people work and what drives them to perform.

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Frederick Winslow Taylor — Scientific Management (1911)

Taylor is considered the father of scientific management. His approach was developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the context of industrial manufacturing, particularly at the Bethlehem Steel Company in the USA.

Key Principles

1. Study and measure every aspect of a task to find the single "best way" of performing it
2. Select and train workers scientifically for the task they are best suited to
3. Divide work into small, specialised, repetitive tasks — the division of labour
4. Monitor and supervise workers closely to ensure they follow the prescribed method
5. Motivate through pay — workers are primarily motivated by money, so piece-rate payment (pay per unit produced) should be used to incentivise higher output

Taylor's View of Workers