In this 21st century motivation has become a key factor towards an efficient organization.
Motivation is an important part of an organization therefore it is necessary to know that every
individual understands the term. According to Lesley Graybeal (2017) article “Making the
most of the Management Theory of Charles Handy”, motivation are forms or activities that an
administration can take in arrange to see that their staffs are satisfied with the work and at the
same time efficient with the task assigned. A series of studies were done and theories were
created by Charles Handy and Maslow so motivation could be obtained at the association to
extend efficiency. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Handy’s
motivation calculus model and principles in which Maslow’s hierarchy of needs operate.
To begin with, Handy's Motivation Calculus Model, suggests that our inspiration is driven by
a more complex series of needs than 'needs' alone, that’s, our claim interpretations and
evaluations shape extra layers deciding and decided by our reaction to our possess needs and
the impacts of those needs responses. According to Charles Handy (1999) Motivation at a
work force can be brought by the “Motivation calculus model” As the model has promised
with three factors such as Need, Result, E factor (effectiveness). This Maslow’s theory such
as Self-actualization needs, Psychological needs, Self Esteem and Social needs are being used
to keep employees motivated. According to David Witt (2014) article “Three Mental Needs
Pioneers Must Address to Make an Engaging Work Environment”, mental needs can be
brought almost giving the laborers independence, relatedness and competence. For case,
firstly, independence is letting the laborers feel that they have influence at the work
environment that's letting them make choices by themselves an example of this would be the
campus staffs such as the campus book center its choose the amount of staff it needs and
allowing them to pick for the job they are qualified for. By allowing this the employees could
have high motivation at workplace therefore they would be performing at their peak.
In addition, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology and it argues the five
stages of human need that motivates our behavior. There are 5 stages that help a pyramid.
The 1st stage is the physiology needs for e.g. breath, eat, drink and sleep. The moment we get
enough of that, we are motivated by the next thing. The 2nd stage is safety where we earn
money and build shelters that protect us. Once we are satisfied with that we think what we
need next. At 3rd stage we seek love and belonging where we desire to be with friends and
family. At 4th stage we seek for esteem where we want confidence and expect respect from
others and where we want to be someone for e.g. if a smart person writes book and all this is
where the motivation levels are at the highest such as sportsman, students and businessman’s
if all this 4 stages are achieved than and only you can achieve the 5th stage which is self-
actualization this stage is where you can relax and be at peace and there is no pressure until
one of the stages have problem again. The theory shows us that what motivates us is
constantly changing over time. So it’s like starting at the bottom of the hierarchy and making
your way up.
Furthermore, the advantages of Handy’s motivation calculus model are that it tries to cater
for complexed and varieties of problems and beyond the reach of the original model
According to Charles Handy (1999), there is another advantage the benefit that will be
achieved from motivation is achieved and derived by the result factor. Another advantage of
this model is that the motivation process in infinite and the motivation system is build
according to needs changing. Deficit principle is also an advantage cause peoples nowadays
have unlimited needs and wants therefore it’ll keep on increasing day by day for e.g. the
social need will only motivate if it is not present, or in deficit. According to the progression
principle, people move step-by-step up in Maslow's hierarchy as they strive to satisfy needs.
For example, once the social need is satisfied, the esteem need will be activated.
Moreover, the disadvantage of the calculus model is that it can be difficult to use the same
model over different generations. Another disadvantage is progression principle because
people are not able to satisfy their higher needs therefore their low needs get reactivated and
later in depth you have to re-shape and re-think and plan again and that’s a disadvantage of
the model. The decision making isn’t always perfect therefore you might have to re-shape
and re-plan in future. Deficit principle is another disadvantage
Reference
Handy, C., 1999, Understanding Organisations, 4th edition, Penguin Books, London
Graybeal, L., 2017, Making the Most of the Management Theory of Charles Handy,
Business.com, Accessed from: https://www.business.com/articles/making-the-most-
of-the- management-theory-of-charles-handy/ [Accessed at: 25th March, 2021]
Burton, K., 2012, A Study of Motivation: How to Get Your Employees Moving, SPEA
Honors Thesis Spring 201, Indiana University, Accessed from:
https://spea.indiana.edu/doc/undergraduate/ugrd_thesis2012_mgmt_burton.pdf [Accessed at:
25th March, 2021]
Witt, D., 2014, 3 Psychological Needs Leaders Must Address to Create an Engaging Work
Environment, September 15, Accessed from: https://leaderchat.org/2014/09/15/3-
psychological- needs-leaders-must-address-to-create-an-engaging-work-environment/
[Accessed at: 25th March, 2021]
