IOP4862 ASSIGNMENT
2 2024 - 1 JULY 2024
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, IOP4862 Assignment 2 2024 - 1 July 2024
Case Study (Please note that the case study is not an actual company situation.) John Sithole is the
managing director of manufacturing and operations of a medium-sized steel construction
organisation. John has a PhD in engineering but has not been directly involved in research and
new product development for 20 years. He runs a “tight ship” when it comes to operations. The
company does not have a turnover problem, but it was evident to John and other key management
personnel that the hourly people put in only eight hours daily. They are not working at their full
potential and have become “clock watchers”. John is upset with the situation because, with rising
costs, the only way the company can continue to prosper is to increase the productivity of its
hourly people. John called the human resources manager, Zamile de Wet, and said, “What is it
with our people, anyway? Your wage surveys show that we pay near the top in this region, our
conditions are tremendous, and our fringe benefits are unbeatable. Yet, these people are still not
motivated. What in the world do they want?” Zamile replied: “I have told you and the CEO time
after time that money, conditions, and benefits are insufficient. Employees also need other things
to motivate them. Moreover, I have been conducting some random confidential interviews with
some of our hourly people, and they tell me they are very discouraged because, no matter how
hard they work, they get the same pay and opportunities for advancement as their co-workers
who are just scraping by”. John replied, “Okay, you are the motivation expert. What do we do
about it? We must increase their performance”.
QUESTIONS:
a) Identify Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and discuss how it relates to the case study by
explaining the motivational problem in this organisation. (7)
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow that outlines a
five-tier model of human needs. These needs are often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.
From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are:
1. Physiological needs: Basic needs for survival such as food, water, shelter, and clothing.
2. Safety needs: Security and protection from physical and emotional harm.
3. Social needs: The need for belonging, love, and social interaction.
2 2024 - 1 JULY 2024
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, IOP4862 Assignment 2 2024 - 1 July 2024
Case Study (Please note that the case study is not an actual company situation.) John Sithole is the
managing director of manufacturing and operations of a medium-sized steel construction
organisation. John has a PhD in engineering but has not been directly involved in research and
new product development for 20 years. He runs a “tight ship” when it comes to operations. The
company does not have a turnover problem, but it was evident to John and other key management
personnel that the hourly people put in only eight hours daily. They are not working at their full
potential and have become “clock watchers”. John is upset with the situation because, with rising
costs, the only way the company can continue to prosper is to increase the productivity of its
hourly people. John called the human resources manager, Zamile de Wet, and said, “What is it
with our people, anyway? Your wage surveys show that we pay near the top in this region, our
conditions are tremendous, and our fringe benefits are unbeatable. Yet, these people are still not
motivated. What in the world do they want?” Zamile replied: “I have told you and the CEO time
after time that money, conditions, and benefits are insufficient. Employees also need other things
to motivate them. Moreover, I have been conducting some random confidential interviews with
some of our hourly people, and they tell me they are very discouraged because, no matter how
hard they work, they get the same pay and opportunities for advancement as their co-workers
who are just scraping by”. John replied, “Okay, you are the motivation expert. What do we do
about it? We must increase their performance”.
QUESTIONS:
a) Identify Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and discuss how it relates to the case study by
explaining the motivational problem in this organisation. (7)
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow that outlines a
five-tier model of human needs. These needs are often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.
From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are:
1. Physiological needs: Basic needs for survival such as food, water, shelter, and clothing.
2. Safety needs: Security and protection from physical and emotional harm.
3. Social needs: The need for belonging, love, and social interaction.
