The ERG Theory

Introduction 

In the early 1970s there was a need to address the shortcomings that existed in the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and it was so done by Clayton Aldefer  who introduced an alternative hierarchy of needs named as the ERG Theory (Borowski, 2005).

Accordingly this theory identified three categories of needs; (Armstrong and Taylor, 2014).

1. Existence Needs –

The concern of an individual regarding basic physiological needs such as food, water, pay and working conditions (Borowski, 2005).

2. Relatedness Needs –

This refers to the need to feel interconnected regarding family, friends, co-workers and other significant groups of individuals (Borowski, 2005).

3. Growth Needs –

This refers to the need of an individual to be productive and creative, to make use of his skills and talents and make use of opportunities for personal growth (Borowski, 2005).

Analysis of this Theory:

           

According to Kumar (1998) this theory is said to be:

·       Rational & Consistent taking in to consideration that needs of individuals may vary based on cultural, environmental, education and personal factors such as family.   

Application:

Cultural aspect: The needs that arise in an Asian family background may differ in stages and categories to one that arise in Western Family. This is based on cultural aspects and environmental aspects as individuals get accustomed to the cultures they spend a large time in.

This represents to be more accurate as a family that earns a middle class income has different levels of needs as opposed to a family that earns a higher income.

 Differences between this theory and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs:

Further according to Borkowski (2005):

1.  The ERG theory does not require the compulsory adherence of the steps of hierarchy. An individual could differentiate and prioritize based on the requirement of the time. Maslow’s theory on the other hand states that it is mandatory to fulfill a lower need to reach the higher step.

2.     Between cultures the need preferences vary in the ERG theory. Due to this factor the needs are not always as expected in Maslow’s hierarchy.

3.     An individual has the freedom under the ERG theory to resort to an alternative need in the event he is not successful in achieving a particular need.                                                     

Application of the analysis

Comparing the two theories in to a real life scenario, as an employee of the modern workforce it is evident that our needs too change. From the first job experience that we have all had, to the number of years we have worked, our needs have taken different turns.

Initially we all require a job with a decent pay, once we get that we seek for a job with better working conditions, reputation or jobs which we can fulfill our needs, which are always not in a hierarchical order as in Maslow's theory. We change our prioirties on our own accord without any adherence to a particluar order.  

 Reference:

Armstrong, M and Taylor, S. (2014)  Armstrong’s Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice – 13^th Ed – UK - Ashford Colour Press

Borkowski, N. (2005) Organizational Behaviour in Health Care – Jones and Bartlett

Kumar, N. (1998) A Genesis of Behavioural Science – New Delhi – Gyan Publishing House