Let us first of all assume that people want to work. We cannot make the assumption that they do not want to work. To make a negative assumption would make the job of managing workers and work totally hopeless. We tend to denigrate people's dignity when we assume they do not want to give, build, create and make sacrifices. In reality, there is a deep human desire to grow, change, contribute and build.

Work ethics

The religious view of work ethics defines work as an act of service to God and to fellow people because it fosters a better society to help fulfill God's plan. Even otherwise, they have to work to meet the basic necessities of life. Work lends meaning and significance to one's existence, but it is the needs that stimulate man to work. As soon as the needs are satisfied, a sense of complacency might settle in. Therefore, one needs to constantly motivate and infuse interest and enthusiasm in the employees towards their job.

Needs are conditioned by social practices. Societal expectations cannot be fully realised. As a result, organisations have to continuously face the brunt of the employees' wants. Many a times people expect organisations to change their ways of functioning to meet their changing requirements. Work has to be more than an unfortunate necessity, an unpleasant means to pay the bills.

Humanism in work

Empirical studies were conducted in the past to understand the actual meaning of the word ‘motivation’. Motivational Study Group of Japan Standards Association conducted one such study in 1974. This group intended to study both basic and practical problems of human motivation in industries.