Frederick herzberg theory
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Frederick Herzberg biography, theory and books
Alexander Zeeman
May 15, 2024
Frederick Herzberg (1923-2000) was a clinical psychologist and is one of the major writers in management and motivational theories. Frederick Herzberg was one of the most influential management teachers and consultants of the post-world war II. His approach focuses on content theories and explains specific things that motivate an individual at work. Frederick Herzberg is recognized by his book The Motivation to Work (1959) and by the Two Factor theory.
Frederick Herzberg biography
Frederick Herzberg received his Ph.D. in psychology in 1950 and studied at the City College. He was offered a fellowship to attend the Graduate School of Public health at the University of Pittsburgh where he studied clinical and abnormal psychology.
His interest was in industrial mental health, but he soon discovered that the concepts of industrial mental health were a restatement of his previous study. Because of this, Frederick Herzberg entitled his thesis ‘Mental Health Is Not the Opposite of Mental Illne
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Herzberg’s Motivation Theory
Herzberg's motivation theory, also known as the two-factor theory, proposes that job satisfaction is influenced by two distinct sets of factors: hygiene factors and motivator factors. Hygiene factors pertain to external conditions such as the workplace environment and salary, while motivator factors are typically intangible elements like receiving recognition or opportunities for personal growth.
The Basic Idea
It is difficult, day in and day out, to be motivated to complete our work. There are so many factors that influence our motivation, whether or not we procrastinate, and if we feel satisfied by the work we are completing.
Herzberg’s Motivation theory recognizes these factors are both internal and external, referred to as motivators and hygiene factors. Motivators include having responsibility, receiving recognition, or being interested in the work - all contribute to satisfaction. Hygiene factors, like work conditions, salary, and company policies, do not cause an employee to be more satisfied, but if they are absent, they w
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Frederick Herzberg
Background
Frederick Herzberg was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on April 18, 1923 and died on January 18, 2000 in Salt Lake City.
He had been in Utah since 1972 when he was asked to join the University of Utah's College of Business.
He gained a graduate degree at the University of Pittsburg.
Before his move to Utah, he was professor of management at Case Western Reserve University where he established the Department of Industrial Mental Health.
He put forward the idea that certain factors in the workplace cause job satisfaction, while others lead to dissatisfaction.
He became known as ‘The Father of Job Enrichment’ and the originator of the ‘Motivation-Hygiene Theory’.
He was a big influence on post-war visionaries such as Abraham Maslow, Peter Drucker and Douglas McGregor.
His book ‘The work and the nature of man’ was voted in the top 10, in 1995, in terms of impacting management theory and practice in the 20th century.
His book 'The Motivation to Work', written with research colleagues B Mausner and B Snyderman in 1959, first established his theories a
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