Introduction
According to psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Requirements Hierarchy concept, which he established in 1943, human behaviour is directed by a set of basic needs. Maslow proposes a hierarchy of needs, with the most basic desires at the bottom and the most sophisticated at the top. Conditions are classified into five categories: those linked to survival, those related to feeling safe, those related to feeling loved and accepted, those related to feeling worthy of respect, and those associated with fulfilling one’s full potential.
Physiologic demands include food, shelter, clothes, and other necessities for survival. The term “safety needs” refers to a person’s physical and mental well-being requirements. What psychologists refer to as “belonging and love needs” are desires for social connection, kindness, and acceptance. “Esteem needs” include a person’s passion for social approval and affirmation. Finally, there is the need for self-actualization, or the desire to maximize one’s skills.
Once the necessities are met, Maslow believes it is appropriate to work on the more complicated demands higher up the hierarchy. When one’s physiological needs, such as hunger or a lack of shelter, are unmet, one’s attention swings away from more abstract aims, such as self-actualization. When a specific level of need is met, that need no longer serves as a driving force, and the individual transfers their focus to the next level.
A detailed description of the chosen theory
Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, proposed the Needs Hierarchy theory in 1943, which has since become a widely accepted and convincing explanation of human motivation. Maslow suggests a need hierarchy in which the most basic desires are at the bottom, and the more complicated desires are at the top.
The five stages of need are as follows, in order of importance:
- Physiologic necessities include things like food, shelter, and clothing.
- The term “safety needs” refers to a person’s physical and emotional demands. These benefits include a safe workplace, a consistent work schedule, and a job guarantee.
- Psychologists refer to the need for social connection, affection, and approbation as “belonging and love needs.” They want relationships, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves.
- The word “esteem wants” refers to the desire to be recognized for one’s achievements and to be treated with respect. They want recognition, success, and fulfilment.
- Fulfilling one’s self-actualization needs entails realizing one’s intrinsic potential. This area includes personal development, creativity, and realizing one’s full potential.
Maslow believes that once the basic needs are met, it is time to work on the more complex requirements higher up the hierarchy. When one’s physiological conditions are not addressed, such as hunger or a lack of shelter, one’s attention shifts away from more abstract goals like self-actualization. When a given degree of need is met, the individual turns their attention to the next level.
The Hierarchy of Needs One of psychology’s most well-known and significant frameworks is the hypothesis (D’Souza & Gurin, 2017). It has been proven helpful in various fields, including business, organizational psychology, education, and therapy. Maslow’s hypothesis has numerous detractors; as a result, it has evolved and changed over time. Nonetheless, it is a fantastic resource for learning about what inspires people.
To summarize, the Requirements Hierarchy hypothesis is a valuable tool for businesses that want to understand better and address the needs of their employees because it gives a framework for identifying and ranking the most fundamental human needs that motivate their behaviour. Meeting expectations at numerous levels can increase organizational effectiveness, employee retention, and morale.
Applies of Needs Hierarchy theory to human resources in the tourism industry
Human resource management in tourism is only one example of how psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy theory might be applied. According to this idea, people are motivated by a hierarchical system of desires that vary from basic to abstract.
Organizations in the tourist sector can acquire a better awareness of and respond to employee requirements by employing the Needs Hierarchy theory. As a result, employee engagement, productivity, and retention may improve.
Workers in the tourism business may have medically necessary needs, such as a safe working environment, access to necessities, and a fair wage. Employers in the tourist business can meet their employees’ basic needs by providing a safe working environment, medical insurance, paid time off, and competitive salaries.
Workers have the right to feel safe at work, which includes having a steady job with regular hours and being safeguarded from physical and psychological violence (Saparow et al.,2021). Employers can meet these expectations by providing long-term employment contracts, establishing predictable work schedules, and enacting legislation to protect employees from harassment, violence, and other forms of workplace abuse.
Employees’ aspirations for social connection, belonging, and appreciation for their job could be classified as “love and belonging” demands. , businesses must foster a healthy work environment, reward employees for their contributions, and promote those who excel at cooperation to achieve the goals.
Employees with esteem needs want to be respected by their bosses and colleagues. To achieve these goals, firms must support their employees’ professional development, stimulate collaboration, and provide honest feedback on their performance.
At the highest level, self-actualization, employees must fully utilize their abilities while satisfying their wants and desires. Organizations can address these demands by offering opportunities for employee growth and development, highlighting the value of a healthy work-life balance, and encouraging employees to explore their interests and hobbies.
Finally, the notion of Needs Hierarchy has significant implications for human resource management in the tourism business. Employers may improve employee engagement, output, and performance by understanding and satisfying the needs of employees at all levels of the firm. Employee engagement boosts employee morale, reduces employee turnover and boosts customer satisfaction.
Use of Needs Hierarchy (Abraham Maslow) theory in the tourism industry
Tourism is one of the businesses that employ psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy theory. According to this notion, our requirements can be ordered hierarchically, from the most fundamental to the most complicated. When applied to the tourist sector, this theory can assist businesses in better understanding and meeting the requirements of their staff and consumers, resulting in enhanced job satisfaction, increased output, and satisfied customers.
Example One – Motivation and job satisfaction in the tourism business
The Needs Hierarchy hypothesis can be used to improve worker motivation and satisfaction in the tourism business. When a company cares about its people and takes the time to get to know them, it is better able to meet their needs on all fronts, boosting morale, increasing productivity, and lowering employee turnover.
A hotel chain, for example, can fulfill its employees’ physiological needs by providing a safe working environment and attractive benefits such as medical coverage and paid time off. Employment contracts, consistent work schedules, and workplace safety precautions can all help alleviate workers’ concerns about their physical and emotional safety on the job.
The hotel company may meet its employees’ needs for belonging and affection by encouraging a cooperative work environment, applauding good collaboration, and recognizing individual accomplishments. The hotel chain can meet its employees’ self-esteem demands by providing them with training and growth opportunities, promoting collaboration, and offering open and honest feedback on their performance (Navy, 2020). Finally, the hotel chain may meet the desire for self-actualization by providing many possibilities for professional advancement, emphasizing the importance of a healthy work-life balance, and encouraging employees to follow their interests and hobbies.
Example Two – Client satisfaction in the tourism industry
Another area where Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can be used to boost sales is travel. Businesses that take the time to learn about their clients will be better able to meet their needs. Businesses, in turn, will promote consumer loyalty and encourage repeat business.
A travel company, for example, can fulfill its clients’ physiological demands by ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the trip and providing them with high-quality housing, food, and transportation services. The tour operator can help with safety concerns by offering information on local customs and safety protocols, travel insurance, and emergency services.
The tour operator can meet the demand for a sense of belonging and attachment by providing unique and unforgettable experiences, encouraging socialization and camaraderie among visitors, and allowing tourists to become actively involved in the local community and culture. Luxury experiences, such as VIP access to elite events and locations and opportunities for personal growth and introspection, can help tour operators meet clients’ admiration and pride needs. The tour operator can also cater to the client’s self-actualization needs by offering unconventional and formative travel experiences, including adventure excursions, in-depth cultural immersion, and animal interactions.
As a result, the Needs Hierarchy hypothesis applies to the travel and tourist business, where it may be used to boost employee morale and consumer satisfaction (Lussier, 2019). An organization’s work happiness, productivity, customer satisfaction, and overall success can benefit from a better understanding of and response to its employees’ and customers’ requirements.
Conclusion
Finally, Abraham Maslow’s Wants Hierarchy hypothesis offers a framework for comprehending the hierarchy of human needs. According to this notion, human needs span from the most basic (satisfying one’s hunger and thirst) to the most complicated (realizing one’s full potential). The tourist business is just one of many that have seen success with this method, which has the potential to boost both employee morale and client happiness. Businesses that try to understand and satisfy their employees’ and customers’ needs create a more positive work environment, increase output and customer loyalty, and improve the bottom line. To summarize, the Demands Hierarchy hypothesis continues to be an effective tool for firms to assess and meet the needs of their consumers and employees.
References
D’Souza, J., & Gurin, M. (2017). Archetypes based on Maslow’s need hierarchy. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 43(2), 183–188.
Navy, S. L. (2020). Theory of human motivation—Abraham Maslow. Science Education in Theory and Practice: An Introductory Guide to Learning Theory, pp. 17–28.
Altymurat, A., Muhai, M., & Saparow, T. (2021). Human Behavior in Organizations Related to Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory. Interdisciplinary Journal Papier Human Review, 2(1), 12-16.
Lussier, K. (2019). Of Maslow, motives, and managers: The hierarchy of needs in American business, 1960–1985. Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 55(4), 319–341.
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