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Unit 7: Employee Involvement

It is important to note that as employees move up the hierarchy, they will immediately revert Notes
back to the previous level if they feel threatened.

Example: If an employee is satisfied in Level 3, a rumor of downsizing may cause an
immediate return to Level 2.

7.1.2 Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory

In 1959, Frederick Herzberg, a behavioural scientist proposed a two-factor theory or the motivator-
hygiene theory. According to Herzberg, there are some job factors that result in satisfaction
while there are other job factors that prevent dissatisfaction. According to Herzberg, the opposite
of “Satisfaction” is “No satisfaction” and the opposite of “Dissatisfaction” is “No Dissatisfaction”.

Figure 7.1: Herzberg’s View of Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction

MOTIVATORS
Satisfaction No Satisfaction

HYGIENE FACTORS
No Dissatisfaction Dissatisfaction

Source: http://www.managementstudyguide.com/herzbergs-theory-motivation.htm
The following table presents the top six factors causing dissatisfaction and the top six factors
causing satisfaction, listed in the order of higher to lower importance.

Table 7.1: Factors Affecting Job Attitudes

Leading to Dissatisfaction Leading to Satisfaction
Company policy Achievement
Supervision Recognition
Relationship with Boss Work itself
Work conditions Responsibility
Salary Advancement

Relationship with Peers Growth

Herzberg classified these job factors into two categories:
1. Hygiene Factors: Hygiene factors are those job factors which are essential for existence of
motivation at workplace. These do not lead to positive satisfaction for long-term. But if
these factors are absent/if these factors are non-existant at workplace, then they lead to
dissatisfaction. In other words, hygiene factors are those factors which when adequate/
reasonable in a job, pacify the employees and do not make them dissatisfied. These factors
are extrinsic to work. Hygiene factors are also called as dissatisfiers or maintenance factors
as they are required to avoid dissatisfaction. These factors describe the job environment/
scenario. The hygiene factors symbolized the physiological needs which the individuals
wanted and expected to be fulfilled. Hygiene factors include:

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