Content theories of motivation
There are numerous theories that have been developed over time under each of the three broad categories. Because motivation is concerned with human behaviour, which can be unpredictable, no one theory can ever hope to hold true for all people in all situations. Nevertheless, the various motivation theories provide a useful guide and framework for managers, particularly in the increasingly diverse workplace that exists in most contemporary organisations. We will examine two content theories of motivation in more detail — Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory and Herzberg’s two-factor theory.