'Maslow's theory of motivation can ensure success for all businesses.' Discuss this statement.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [17-20] Effective evaluation of the statement that Maslow's theory of motivation can ensure success for all businesses. Good answers will analyse the key features of Maslow's theory, review the potential value of the theory for managers as they attempt to motivate employees, comment on strengths and limitations of the theory, and make evaluative comments and arguments directly relevant to the statement in the question.
2. [13-16] Limited evaluation and good analysis of the statement that Maslow's theory of motivation can ensure success for all businesses.
3. [11-12] Analysis of the statement that Maslow's theory of motivation can ensure success for all businesses.
4. [5-10] Limited analysis with application of the statement that Maslow's theory of motivation can ensure success for all businesses.
5. [1-4] Understanding of Maslow's theory of motivation\motivation. Answers could include: Reference to the main features of Maslow's hierarchy of needs - a focus on human needs that might be satisfied in the work place; physical, safety, social, esteem, self-actualisation needs. It is suggested that once one level of need is satisfied employees move on to the next level. A diagnostic framework that alerts managers to the possible needs that employees have and how they might be satisfied and so improve morale and productivity individually and collectively. The theory recognises the place of monetary and non-monetary rewards to meet different needs. It is a simple and general theory of motivation that arguably can be successfully applied to all types of businesses and organisations. However, it is not without its critics...seen as too simplistic...not all employees have the same needs...does a particular need have to be satisfied in order to move on to higher needs? Other motivation theorists such as Herzberg and Mayo are regarded as more realistic - an approach to motivation that draws on a number of theories rather than just Maslow is often suggested. What is meant by 'success' in the statement in the question... success for a business in terms of survival, growth, profitability may well depend on factors other than employee motivation. These factors could include: quality of leadership and management of a business, the nature of the market environment, the capability of competitors, effectiveness of product/service design and marketing/investment strategies.