Similarities and differences between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Lawrence and Nohria’s Four Drive Theory

AOS2 SAC PART A

Similarities

1. Both theories focus on motivating employees holistically, through addressing their physical, social, and emotional desires.

2. Both theories suggest employees are motivated by the desire to feel a sense of belonging within the workplace through social needs and the drive to bond.

3. Both theories suggest that employees are motivated by a desire to improve their knowledge and skills through self-actualisation needs and the drive to learn.

Differences

1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs must be met in sequential order, whereas the Four Drive Theory suggests any drive may be relevant to an employee in no particular order.

2. The Hierarchy of Needs states that employees are motivated to fulfil only one need at a time, whereas the Four Drive Theory states that all needs can drive employee behaviour simultaneously.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of need

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory that suggests people have five fundamental needs, and their sequential attainment of each need acts as a source of motivation.

Lawrence and Nohria’s Four Drive Theory

The Four Drive Theory is a motivational theory that suggests that people strive to balance four fundamental desires.