Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory

Herzberg's two-factor theory

Building n Maslow's work, Frederick Herzberg talked with 200 accountants and engineers (Ramlall 2004; Steers et al. 1996). He had them describe situations where they felt very good about their jobs and others where they felt very bad about them. A pattern emerged. The factors making individuals satisfied with their jobs were associated with job content. These were called motivators. On the other hand, the factors making individuals dissatisfied were associated with job context. There were call hygiene factors.

Herzberg's (1966) two-factor theory argues that hygiene factors keep workers from feeling dissatisfied, but motivators hep workers feel satisfied and motivated. This theory assumes that the opposite of dissatisfaction is not satisfaction but no dissatisfaction (Hansen et al. 2002). For example, low salary makes someone dissatisfied, but paying more does not necessarily satisfy or motivate them (Kaliprasad 2006) . The implications are clear : (1) provide hygiene factors to reduce worker dissatisfaction, and (2) include motivators, as they are only factors to motivate workers and similarities and differences in management of employee motivation (Usuami & Park 2006) , the identification of determinants of student satisfaction and retention in higher education (DeShields et al. 2005), the importance of pay in employee motivation (Rynes et al. 2004) , and the implementation of quality improvement such as total quality management or re-engineering. (Uley et al. 1997).

Two-factor theory has been criticised because researchers could not get the same results with other study methods (Ruthankoon & Ogunlana 2003). Despite criticism, a recent study examined the theory's validity and demonstrated its utility even after 50 years of development (Basset-Jones & Lloyd 2005). That the two-factor theory is still significant is evidenced by another recent study that applied it to the work situation of correctional officers in one s southern US state's correctional agency (Udechukwu 2009)