---
title: "Motivation and Herzberg theory"
subject: "Construction Management"
chapter: 10
key: "semester_8/construction_management:motivation-herzberg"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/motivation-herzberg
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Motivation and Herzberg theory

Construction Management · Chapter 10: Personnel Management

- Asked in: 2068 Bhadra (old course), 8 marks; 2077 Chaitra, 1 marks; 2070 Bhadra, 4 marks; 2078 Chaitra (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Frederick Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory of Motivation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB2wiubO0fM) — Alanis Business Academy
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/motivation-herzberg
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-10

## Question

What is motivation? Why is it necessary (important for workers) in construction projects? Explain Herzberg's (dual factor) theory of motivation.

## Short answer

Motivation is the inner drive to act willingly toward a goal. In construction, it raises productivity, quality, safety, and reduces turnover. Herzberg's two-factor theory distinguishes hygiene factors (e.g., pay, conditions) that prevent dissatisfaction from motivators (e.g., recognition, growth) that create satisfaction.

## Answer

**Motivation** is the inner drive, or the process of stimulating people, to act willingly and with effort for achieving a goal. A motivated worker works harder and better.

#### Why motivation is necessary in construction
- Construction work is physically hard, outdoors and in unsafe conditions, with workers often temporary; motivation raises their willingness.
- Raises productivity and reduces cost and time.
- Improves quality and reduces rework and wastage.
- Reduces absenteeism, labour turnover and strikes.
- Improves safety awareness and discipline.
- Develops team spirit and loyalty, and improves the image of the contractor.

#### Herzberg's two-factor (motivation-hygiene) theory
Frederick Herzberg (1959) found that satisfaction and dissatisfaction come from two different sets of factors.

| Hygiene (maintenance) factors | Motivators (satisfiers) |
|---|---|
| Company policy and administration | Achievement |
| Supervision | Recognition |
| Salary and wages | The work itself |
| Working conditions | Responsibility |
| Job security | Advancement and growth |
| Interpersonal relations | Personal development |

- **Hygiene factors** cause dissatisfaction if they are absent or poor, but even when they are good they only remove dissatisfaction; they do not motivate.
- **Motivators** create real satisfaction and motivation when present; their absence results in no satisfaction (not dissatisfaction).

```text
 Dissatisfaction <--[Hygiene]--> No dissatisfaction
 No satisfaction <-[Motivators]-> Satisfaction
```

#### Use in construction
Pay fair wages, provide safe working conditions, housing, drinking water and good supervision (hygiene); and also give recognition, bonuses for early completion, responsibility to gang leaders, training and promotion (motivators).

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What do good hygiene factors do?
   A. Create strong motivation
   B. Only remove dissatisfaction without motivating
   C. Cause dissatisfaction
   D. Raise productivity directly
   Answer: B. Hygiene factors prevent dissatisfaction when good but do not motivate. (Key point: Hygiene factors)

2. Which is a motivator in Herzberg's theory?
   A. Salary
   B. Job security
   C. Working conditions
   D. Recognition and achievement
   Answer: D. Achievement, recognition, responsibility and growth are motivators. (Key point: Motivators)

3. What results when motivators are absent?
   A. Dissatisfaction
   B. No satisfaction, not dissatisfaction
   C. Strikes
   D. High satisfaction
   Answer: B. Absence of motivators gives no satisfaction rather than dissatisfaction. (Key point: Absence of motivators)

4. Which pair is a motivator in construction use?
   A. Safe conditions and drinking water
   B. Fair wages and housing
   C. Bonus for early completion and responsibility to gang leaders
   D. Good supervision
   Answer: C. Bonuses, recognition, responsibility and promotion are motivators; wages, safety and housing are hygiene. (Key point: Application)

## Related in Construction Management

- [Motivation: Maslow's hierarchy and Herzberg's theory](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amotivation-maslow-herzberg) — Construction Management, chapter 10
- [Short note: Maslow's theory of motivation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amaslow-theory-note) — Construction Management, chapter 10

## Related in other subjects

- [Motivation and Herzberg's hygiene theory](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Aherzberg-hygiene) — Organization and Management, chapter 8
- [Human need and Herzberg's hygiene theory](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Aherzberg-human-need) — Organization and Management, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Risk in construction projects and its management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Arisk-define-more-chance-construction) — Project Engineering, chapter 5