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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Motivating individuals and teams

A manager reads that, in Herzberg's two-factor theory, a pay rise is a hygiene factor. Which statement best describes the effect of a pay rise according to this theory?

Under Herzberg, pay is a hygiene factor, so a rise reduces dissatisfaction but does not create lasting motivation. True motivators are intrinsic factors such as achievement, recognition, responsibility and the work itself, not pay or other hygiene conditions.

  1. AIt removes dissatisfaction but does not in itself create lasting motivationCorrect
  2. BIt is the strongest source of long-term motivation
  3. CIt satisfies self-actualisation needs
  4. DIt has no effect on employee attitudes

Explanation

Herzberg viewed pay as a hygiene factor: inadequate pay causes dissatisfaction, and improving it removes that dissatisfaction. It does not by itself motivate. Motivators are factors like achievement, recognition and the work itself, so the claim of strong long-term motivation is wrong.

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