Needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy Addressed by Management

Employee motivation is an essential component of the success of any firm operating in today’s market, which is defined by the prevalence of severe competition. Employee motivation has a direct impact on staff performance, which in turn determines the overall performance of the firm. As a result, it is important for management to place a strong emphasis on motivating activities in order to motivate their personnel. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the initiatives taken by Xerox Company to encourage their employees. Furthermore, the literature delves into how the company employs theories X and Y, as well as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. At Xerox Company, the administrators recognize the fact that financial benefits are not enough motivation to guarantee exemplary performance by the staff members. As such, the company deploys several techniques in ensuring workplace motivation for the workers. When Anne Mulcahy became the CEO in 2001, she reveals that motivating the employees was a key factor in turning around the company (Ndubuizu & Britton, 2016). Notably, she maintained a good relationship with the staff, a factor that significantly improves teamwork and motivation at the workforce

Moreover, the company deploys the use of online games and web portals to improve the worker’s connection to the workplace which in turn enhances the performance of the employees (Perryer et al., 2016). Performance appraisal is another important tool used by Xerox Corporation. In the 1980s the company’s appraisal system was not efficient, leading to a need to transform the evaluation and the reward system. The new regime adopted involved three stages in a year. The first step is carried out at the initial stage of the year where the manager meets each staff member with the aim of working out goals and the standards of performance expected. The second step is carried out midyear and involves feedback and discussions of the performance. At this stage, the employee’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as suggestions to improve performance, are discussed. The final stage at year end encompasses a review of the performance and rewarding exemplary performance.

Application of Theory X or Theory Y for Motivation Strategies

The leaders at Xerox are enlightened and more often not authoritative in nature and therefore, apply theory Y in managing the workers (Chapman, 2017). Notably, the working environment at the company gives room for the employees to work freely without strict rules and ultimatum from bosses as the workers are deemed to be responsible and committed to their duties and responsibilities. The correlation between the leadership approach and motivation is evident in the company. Ursula Burns, the former CEO, ascertains that she recognizes the significance of managing diverse workforce by relating to their different perspectives rather than deploying intentional intimidation (Ndubuizu & Britton, 2016).

Needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy Addressed by Management

Abraham Maslow’s emphasized on the satisfaction of several of the employees to ensure motivation. It is noteworthy that the needs are arranged in order of priority starting with the basic requirements as the most important aspects to be met. In the context of Xerox Corporation, the management ensures satisfaction of biological and physiological needs by paying the workers a salary that is enough to cater for food, shelter and other basic needs. Moreover, the organization ensures safe working environment and offers protection to their employees (Chapman, 2017).

Furthermore, the corporation improves the working relationship where the employees feel loved and enjoy good relation with the managers and other workers. The appraisal system ensures that the company satisfies the esteem needs by recognizing the achievement of the staff and rewarding best performers. Importantly, the management meets the self-actualization needs by allowing individual progress and satisfaction.

Conclusion

Employee motivation is a crucial factor in ensuring the survival of organizations in a competitive industry. Xerox Corporation emphases workplace motivation to ensure sustainable growth and profitability in the continuously changing business environment

References

Chapman, A. (2017). Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and diagrams of Maslow’s motivational theory - pyramid diagrams of Maslow’s theory. Businessballs.com. Retrieved 21 March 2017, from http://www.businessballs.com/maslow.htm

Chapman, A. (2017). douglas mcgregor’s motivational theory x theory y. Businessballs.com. Retrieved 21 March 2017, from http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htmRetrieved 21 March 2017, from http://www.businessballs.com/maslow.htm

Ndubuizu, R., & Britton, D. M. (2016). Ursula Burns. Junctures in Women’s Leadership: Business, 92.

Perryer, C., Celestine, N. A., Scott-Ladd, B., & Leighton, C. (2016). Enhancing workplace motivation through gamification: Transferrable lessons from pedagogy. The International Journal of Management Education, 14(3), 327-335.