Tesco Motivational Theory

Abraham Maslow argued that humans are motivated by five essential needs. He formed a pyramid demonstrating these needs which he called the 'hierarchy of needs'.

• In 1959 Frederick Herzberg developed the Two-Factor theory of motivation.
• His research showed that certain factors were the true motivators or satisfiers. Hygiene factors, in contrast, created dissatisfaction if they were absent or inadequate.
• Dissatisfaction could be prevented by improvements in hygiene factors but these improvements would not alone provide motivation.

• Herzberg showed that to truly motivate an employee a business needs to create conditions that make him or her feel fulfilled in the workplace.
  

• Tesco aims to motivate its employees both by paying attention to hygiene factors and by enabling satisfiers.
• For example, it motivates and empowers its employees by appropriate and timely communication, by delegating responsibility and involving staff in decision making. It holds forums every year in which staff can be part of the discussions on pay rises. This shows recognition of the work Tesco people do and rewards them.

Tesco staff can even influence what food goes onto its restaurant menus. Employees thus become motivated to make choices that will increase their use of the restaurants.