IOP4862
ASSIGNMENT 2 2024 -
1 JULY 2024
[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.
4. Esteem needs: The need for self-esteem, respect, recognition, and accomplishment.
5. Self-actualization needs: The desire to become the most that one can be, realizing personal potential,
self-fulfillment, and seeking personal growth and peak experiences.
ASSIGNMENT 2 2024 -
1 JULY 2024
[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.
4. Esteem needs: The need for self-esteem, respect, recognition, and accomplishment.
5. Self-actualization needs: The desire to become the most that one can be, realizing personal potential,
self-fulfillment, and seeking personal growth and peak experiences.
