Conclusion

Motivating employees is an important role for managers. In the past, as the work of Frederick Taylor illustrated, motivation theory linked very closely to pay and output.

Individuals now need to be motivated in a completely different way. They have higher order needs. This was illustrated through the work of Abraham Maslow. Frederick Herzberg discovered there are also elements within the workplace that both satisfy and dissatisfy employees.

This case study illustrates how the work of Maslow and Herzberg, rather than Taylor, applies in a modern engineering environment like Siemens. Lower order needs are met by the organisation providing good pay and a safe working environment. Higher order needs are also provided for its engineers through training and development, as well as the opportunity to undertake creative and challenging work.

Siemens employees are motivated by being recognised for their achievements and by having opportunities for progression, regardless of the level at which they started working for Siemens.

Source: Times 100