LIFE STORIES OF RECENT MBAS

Motivations

AUGUST 3, 2018
GROUP T2
PART I

Consider following 6 motivation theories and analyse the 6 case-stories given. In the table
below mark a  where your analysis shows that the theory can apply and explain the
motivations of the person, and a X where that theory cannot explain the motivations of
the person. [8 Marks]

MONICA ANN JAIME SACHIN ALEX DANIEL

CHI GILDROY IRICK JAIN MANDL SALVADORI
ERG THEORY      
2 FACTOR X  X X  X
THEORY
McClelland  X X  X X
NEEDS THEORY
EQUITY THEORY X X X X X X
EXPECTANCY X X X X X X
THEORY
GOAL THEORY  X X X X X

PART II

From your analysis in Part I above, choose topmost 3 theories explaining most of the
motivations seen in the case-stories, and explain in detail about the analysis and why you
believe in the theories explaining the case-stories. [12 marks]

The most popular Theories of Motivation manifested are:

 Alderfer’s ERG Theory
 Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory
 McClelland Needs Theory

Alderfer’s ERG Theory

Clayton Alderfer developed Maslow’s hierarchy and postulated that there were three types
of needs (Existence, Relatedness and Growth). Existence covers the Basic Material existence
requirements of Humans. Relatedness deals with the desire that people have for maintaining
important interpersonal relationships. Growth refers to a person’s need for intrinsic
development.

Monica Chi

Monica’s had always wanted to make her parents proud, especially by making a difference in
the world and having an impact in the community thereby following the example they had
set for her. More than the Extrinsic benefits of her achievements, she is happier about the
fact that her parents use it to fuel their pride. This type of motivation rises from her need to
maintain interpersonal relationships, which in turn refers to the Relatedness part of Alderfer’s
ERG Theory.

Learning and personal growth were also huge motivating drivers for her, which is again
explained by the Growth aspect of the ERG theory.

Ann Gildroy

While Ann Gildroy was on her second tour in Iraq with the American military. She was willing
to risk her life for the welfare of the Iraqis which shows her altruistic nature. She found
purpose by being able to provide security and possibly a better life to the people of Iraq. This
display a need for self-actualisation or Self Transcendence (which Maslow later specified in
his Hierarchy theory) which acts like the motivator for her actions. Subsequently this also
displays a need for Growth therefore the ERG theory is relevant in explaining her motivations.

Jaime Irick

Jaime Irick helped people and very much involved in community service. He tried to change
people’s lives through his business and make a difference to the Society. Hence, we could
observe that he was extremely involved in community service and took part in other social
activities. As this can be classified as a Self-Transcendent need, we can say that Alderfer’s
theory applies with respect to Growth.

Sachin Jain

He had seen a lot of people in his life contribute a lot, as a result he grew up thinking that it’s
important to contribute in small ways to the people in his immediate life and then in big ways.
His Family had provided him with examples of starting new ventures which later led him to
believe that he was supposed to give back, to lead, to do things that otherwise wouldn’t
happen if he wasn’t there. This leads him to a view that there is a higher goal, which leads us
to infer that self-transcendence/Growth is one of the major motivators for him.

Alex Mandl

Alex was always focussed on shedding light on overlooked areas, one major source of
motivation for him was to help people navigate through complex problems. He thrived on
working on problems that other people had neglected and focussed his energies on applying
his strengths and talents to causes to areas where he felt that they were deeply needed. This
need for a higher purpose falls under the Growth category of the ERG theory.

Daniel Salvadore

Daniel has always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, he is also motivated by
continuous learning, this constant need to improve himself multiplied with his openness to
learn from the perspectives/views of his fellow students in HBS shows that the ERG theory
applies here as well as he is motivated by a need to intrinsically develop himself.
Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory

The two-factor theory (also known as Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory/dual-factor

theory) states that there are certain factors in the workplace that cause job satisfaction, while
a separate set of factors cause dissatisfaction.

Ann Gildroy

Ann drew a lot of energy from whether the Iraqis she met were doing better personally,
whether they had become more capable, whether their impression of Americans had
changed for the better etc. There were instances where she was living in places with no
running water, no bathrooms however despite these extreme conditions, she still was
satisfied that she was able to provide a better life to people who had been caught up in
tremendous violence and poverty. The gratification of higher level psychological needs
despite certain basic requirements not being met allows us to infer that Herzberg’s Two
Factor theory can be applied here.

Alex Mandl

Alex believed that there was a lot of value in being willing to explore areas of unfamiliarity
and vulnerability. He believed that there was so much insight to be gained if one could learn
to face and accept tough situations, the willingness to face tough/complex situations in
pursuit of a higher purpose can fall under Herzberg’s Two Factor theory.

McClelland Needs Theory

Monica Chi

For Monica, working with great colleagues on meaningful work was much more important
than money or a title. This motivation has a basis in the Affiliation component of McClelland’s
Needs theory as she derives motivation from others.

Sachin Jain

Sachin was from a family of achievers, he wanted to be the person to lead, to make the world
a better place. From his desire to start new ventures, we can infer that he’s motivated by the
need to experience accomplishments which has a basis in the Achievement component of
McClelland’s Needs Theory.