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Abstract
There is an argument that money is the only motivator that management can use effectively to enhance the performance of
employees at all levels. It’s however of questionable wisdom whether employees who happen to differ in the social class grouping
can be motivated by only one factor, financial motivation of money. Theorists have concentrated on the generalized motivators
without detail look unto those needs that motivate workers at the low, middle and high class levels that compound the environment of
today in both developing and developed nations. This study will add to the existing knowledge in motivation as regards the factors
that motivate workers at the varied social classes by coming up with a theory, ‘the Tirimba theory of motivation’ which was aimed at
identifying the key motivators at the low, middle and high class social levels of workers. The main objective therefore is to determine
the key motivators at the low, middle and high class levels at the contemporary context. Descriptive research design was adopted
with the population being strategic management scholars at graduate level in Kenya. The sample survey of this study was extracted
from the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) students of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi
campus 2012-2013 current students that was identified on case study method. The study relied wholly on qualitative data from
both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected by use of semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data was
gathered by aid of already published books, journals, and published and unpublished research projects. Relevant conclusions and
recommendations were made as per the data collected and the theory to be suggested explained amid the research work.
Keywords
Motivation, Social Groups, Employees/Workers
1. Introduction the motivational context have been researches from the instinct
theory, the incentive theory, the drive theory, arousal theory and
Motivation is concerned with the factors that influence people to
the humanistic theories of motivation. Of all the functions a
behave in certain ways. Motivating other people is about getting
manager performs, motivating employees is arguably the most
them to move in a certain direction in order to achieve a desired
complex. This is due, in part, to the fact that what motivates
result. Today, concepts of social class often assume three general
employees changes constantly [3]. For example, research sug-
categories: a very wealthy and powerful upper class that owns
gests that as employees’ income increases, money becomes less
and controls the means of production; a middle class of profes-
of a motivator [4]. It’s interesting to note that, as employees get
sional workers, small business owners, and low-level managers;
older, interesting work becomes more of a motivator. The key
and a lower class, which rely on low-paying wage jobs for their
question has been whether money is the key tool for employee
livelihood and often experience poverty. Until recently, employee
motivation at all times besides the other motivating tools such as
interests and needs have been neglected and their personal de-
job security, promotions and titles, good working conditions and
velopment goals put at a back stage. They were just considered
so forth. In this study, the researcher will be looking at the key
as mare inputs that can be used to accelerate production process
motivators at the 3 classes of employees namely; high class, low
but not as the important resources that carry the entire hope and
class and middle class. This work shall be an extensional input
key stake of every firm. What perhaps may have changed this
unto the theories of motivation thereby proposing a new theory
ironical way of thinking about employees was research, referred
of motivation, ‘the Grouping theory of motivation.’ The theory
to as the Hawthorne Studies, conducted by Elton Mayo from
will be applicable in the 21st century in which case, there lies
1924 to 1932 [1]. Understanding what motivated employees and
disequilibrium state in the distribution of national and domestic
how they were motivated was the focus of many researchers fol-
income in the global perspective and thus the existence of the low
lowing the publication of the Hawthorne Study results [2]. Five
class level of people, middle class level of people and the high
major approaches that have led to our understanding of motiva-
class level of people.
tion and that shall form the basis of the theoretical review are
Maslow’s need-hierarchy theory, Herzberg’s two- factor theory,
Vroom’s expectancy theory, Adams’ equity theory, and Skinner’s 2. Literature Review
reinforcement theory. Other Researcher developments modern to
A Theory of Human Motivation: The Tirimba Grouping Theory of Motivation 17
2.1 Introduction treated as basic social need of an individual. People must have the
Over the recent past, many contemporary authors have defined opportunity to love and beloved: in his private journal, Maslow
the concept of motivation. Motivation has been defined as: the lamented that he had not “paid enough attention to the need to
psychological process that gives behavior purpose and direction admire as well as to be admired (parallel to love as well as to be
[5]; a predisposition to behave in a purposive manner to achieve loved)” ( [9] p. 1177).
specific, unmet needs [6]; an internal drive to satisfy an unsatisfied Esteem needs include the need to be respected by others, need
need [7]; and the will to achieve [8]. to be appreciated by others, need to have power and finally pres-
tigious position. Once the previous needs are satisfied, a person
2.2 Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Needs feels to be held in esteem both by him and also by others. Thus,
In 1943, a psychologist Mr. Abraham Harold Maslow suggested esteem needs are two fold in nature. Self esteem needs include
his Theory of Human Motivation. His theory is one popular and those for self confidence, self-respect, competence, etc. The de-
extensively cited theory of motivation. Maslow [9] argues that velopment of self-esteem and ego strength leads to feelings of
the average child tends to prefer a safe, orderly world where dan- self-confidence, worth, strength, and capability; these emotions
gerous or unexpected events are rare. As with the physiological propel behavior toward the higher goals [9].
needs, safety needs cease to be a primary motivator of behavior Self-actualization Needs is the highest among the needs in the
when the needs are met. Safety seeking ceases to be the dominant hierarchy of needs advocated by Maslow. Self actualization is the
behavioral motivators as safety needs are chronically satisfied. desire to become what one is capable of becoming. It is a ’growth’
need. A worker must work efficiently if he is to be ultimately
happy.
Maslow began to become interested in self-actualization through
his relationships with two extraordinary human beings: Max
Wertheimer and Ruth Benedict. Maslow [9] reports that his early
investigations on “self-actualization were not planned to be re-
search and did not start out as research.
the organization. Individuals in need of power are usually low 2.9 The Incentive Theory
in affiliative need. The manager who desires to be liked will The incentive theory argues that people are motivated to do things
not make a good manager as he might waive rules for certain because of external rewards. For example, today many employees
employees thus disrupting the whole system while demoralizing are motivated to go to work each day for the monetary reward
other employees who feel that exceptions are unfair ( [11, 14]) they are being paid. Behavioral learning concepts such as associ-
need for power, however, is not the only requisite to make a good ation and reinforcement play an important role in this theory of
manager. The good manager tends to be altruistic, uses power motivation.
to stimulate employees to be more productive and above all has
“. . . emotional maturity, where there is little egotism, and has a 2.10 The Drive Theory
democratic, coaching managerial style” ( [14] p.11) The drive theory of motivation asserts that, people are motivated
In a retrospective commentary to the article by McClelland & to take certain actions in order to reduce the internal tension that is
Burnham [14] entitled “Power is the Great Motivator”, McClel- caused by unmet needs. For instance, people may be motivated to
land states that subsequent research has confirmed that successful drink a glass of water in order to reduce the internal state of thirst
managers have a stronger need for power than the need to be liked. instead of water. This theory is useful in explaining behaviors that
However, it was also found that in “small companies” (McClel- have a strong biological component, such as hunger or thirst. The
land’s italics), “a high need for achievement contributes more to problem with this theory of motivation is that these behaviors are
success than does a high interest in influencing other people. not always motivated purely by physiological needs. For example,
people often eat even when they are not really hungry.
2.4 Herzberg two factor theory
Herzberg’s work categorized motivation into two factors: moti- 2.11 The Arousal Theory
vators and hygiene’s [15]. Motivator or intrinsic factors, such as On the other hand the arousal theory of motivation suggests that
achievement and recognition, produce job satisfaction. Hygiene people take certain actions to either decrease or increase levels
or extrinsic factors, such as pay and job security, produce job of arousal. When arousal levels get too low, for example, a
dissatisfaction. person might watch and exciting movie or go for a jog. When
arousal levels get too high, on the other hand, a person would
2.5 Vroom’s Expectancy theory probably look for ways to relax such as meditating or reading a
Vroom’s theory is based on the belief that employee effort will book. According to this theory, we are motivated to maintain an
lead to performance and performance will lead to rewards [16]. optimal level of arousal, although this level can vary based on the
Rewards may be either positive or negative. As regards to Vroom’s, individual or the situation.
the more positive the reward the more likely the employee will
be highly motivated. Conversely, the more negative the reward 2.12 The Humanistic theories
the less likely the employee will be motivated. Finally the Humanistic theories of motivation are based on the
idea that people also have strong cognitive reasons to perform var-
2.6 Adams’ Equity theory ious actions. This is famously illustrated in Abraham Maslow’s
Adams’ theory states that employees strive for equity between hierarchy of needs which presents different motivations at differ-
themselves and other workers. Equity is achieved when the ratio ent levels. First, people are motivated to fulfill basic biological
of employee outcomes over inputs is equal to other employee needs for food and shelter, as well as those of safety, love and
outcomes over inputs [17]. esteem. Once the lower level needs have been met, the primary
motivator becomes the need for self actualization. Of all the
2.7 Skinner’s reinforcement theory functions a manager performs, motivating employees is arguably
Skinner’s reinforcement theory states that, those employees’ be- the most complex. This is due, in part, to the fact that what moti-
haviors that lead to positive outcomes will be repeated and be- vates employees changes constantly [3]. For example, research
haviors that lead to negative outcomes will not be repeated [18]. suggests that as employees’ income increases, money becomes
Managers should positively reinforce employee behaviors that less of a motivator [4]. It’s Interesting to note that, as employees
lead to positive outcomes. Managers should negatively reinforce get older, interesting work becomes more of a motivator. The key
employee behavior that leads to negative outcomes. question has been whether money is the key tool for employee
motivation at all times besides the other motivating tools such as
2.8 The Instinct theory job security, promotions and titles, good working conditions and
The Instinct theory of motivation poses that, people are motivated so forth.
to behave in certain ways because they are evolutionarily pro-
grammed to do so. An example of this in the animal world is 2.13 McGregor’s Theory X/Y
seasonal migration. These animals do not learn to do this; it is Theory X argues that the average persons inherently dislike work
instead an inborn pattern of behavior. William James created a and will avoid it if they can. People must be coerced, controlled,
list of human instincts that included such things as attachment, directed, and threatened in order to make them work. The average
play, shame, anger, fear, shyness, modesty and love. The main human being prefers to be directed, wishes to avoid responsibility,
problem with this theory is that it did not really explain behavior, and has relatively little ambition. Theory Y is the immediate
it just described it. opposite of theory X.
[15] F. M. Herzberg, “B. & snyderman, b.(1959). the motivation experimental social psychology, vol. 2, no. 267-299, 1965.
to work,” 2, li, 1959. [18] B. F. Skinner, Science and human behavior. Simonand-
[16] V. H. Vroom, “Work and motivation.,” 1964. Schuster. com, 1953.
[17] J. S. Adams, “Inequity in social exchange,” Advances in