This paper examines some of the possible reasons why the theory of work motivation (the motivation-hygiene or dual-factor theory) developed by Herzberg and his colleagues in 1959 has generally been dismissed by organizational researchers. It next reviews some of the limited research using the theory today and concludes with suggestions for further analysis of the motivation-hygiene theory, a theory which does, however, continue to be of interest to practitioners.
In the January 2003 issue of Harvard Business Review, HBR (a special issue on personal and organizational motivation), Frederick Herzberg?s classic 1968 HBR article entitled “One More Time: How Do You Motivate Employees? “ was reprinted. (This same classic article was also reprinted in the September / October 1987 issue of HBR.) The editors of HBR indicate that they consider Herzberg?s ideas some of the best on the topic of job motivation and relevant to the workplace today. (Harvard Business Review, 2003: 8)
This paper explores why Herzberg?s theory of work motivation (hereafter referred to as the motivation-hygiene theory) has not been more generally accepted, nor even given much serious consideration by many researchers in the field of management today. The paper begins by providing an overview of the theory using original sources by either Herzberg and his colleagues (Herzberg, Mausner & Snyderman, 1959) or just Herzberg (1966). Next, the major theoretical criticisms of the theory are reviewed and some additional reasons for the possible, early rejection of the theory are discussed. Then several recent studies using the motivation-hygiene theory are reviewed. Finally, some suggestions for further research of the theory are presented.
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One More Time: Herzberg’s Theory of Work Motivation
