Question

Case Study 3 Sneha has been a literary agent with one of the largest literary agencies in New Delhi for four years. Her job entails matching up authors and their manuscripts with book publishers. She has about two dozen established authors whom she represents in negotiations with publishing houses. Sneha also regularly reviews manuscripts of new or less established authors who want her firm to represent them "I live and breathe this job. I am up at 5.30 am in the morning and in the office by 7 am, I either skip lunch or use lunch as an excuse to meet publishing editors, one of my established authors, or to talk with a prospective client. I am never out of the office before 7.30 pm., and it is usually closer to 9 pm when I get home. I spend an hour or two lying in bed, reading book manuscripts. I only wish I could find another five hours a day so I could squeeze in more things. God, I love my work." You might be correct in calling Sneha a workaholic. She approaches her work almost compulsively. In college, she played on her school's soccer team. But Sneha's job is now her whole life. She said she had not been on a date in five months, although she had several dozen offers. She had no social life, except that which rotated around her work. Sneha even admitted that she had not had time to dust or run the vacuum cleaner over the rugs in her apartment in six weeks. "But don't get the wrong impression when I say my apartment is a mess," interjected Sneha." don't care. Every morning pop out of bed and just thank the Lord for having a job that makes so happy. When I run into people who complain about their work, I just shake my head. How lucky I am! I'd rather be negotiating with an editor, making manuscript suggestions, discussing strategy with one of my authors, or reading some unknown author's first book than be clearing the house, jogging around Central Park, or for that matter, making love with Rajesh. I mean it when I say I have got a great job." Sneha's enthusiasm appears to have had a very positive impact on her job performance. Her boss says she is the best young agent in the office. "She gives a hundred per cent. But of course, she's smart too. Sneha has a bright future in this industry." Questions to be answered: 1. Which of the needs in Maslow's hierarchy seem to be most important to Sneha? 2. Sneha made only Rs. 30,000 during the last financial year. What types of individual, organizational and job-related factors might account for her high level of motivation? Discuss the answer with reference to Hezberg's two factor theory of motivation. 3. Can you see any possible negative aspects of managing someone like Sneha?

Answer 1

Answer:

1. To Sneha, the tip of the Moslow pyramid, 'self -actualization' is the most important need. Self-actualization is a feeling of being fulfilled or living at the peak of one's potential. Sneha epitomizes the feeling of giving one's all to one's job. In fact she wishes she had more time to "squeeze in more things" into her work. Sneha achieves self-actualization through her job.

2. Herzberg's two factor theory of motivation includes hygiene and motivation. Though hygiene factors directly don't motivate an employee, their absence will cause employees to work less hard. Hygiene factors include company policy, supervision, relationship, work conditions, salary, status, and security. Among these, work conditions and supervision prevail in abundance for Sneha. She has autonomy and appreciation from her boss. She carries her work home too. Though salary of Rs. 30,000 may not be a great boost, Sneha is not deterred by money as her need goes beyond monetary returns.

At the same time, the second factor of Herzberg's theory -  motivation. The presence of motivators causes employees to work harder. They are found within the actual job itself. These include: achievement, recognition, the work itself, responsibility, advancement, and growth. Among these, Sneha finds motivated by the work itself, responsibility (she 'owns' the job), recognition (from her boss), and advancement (her boss feels she has "a bright future in this industry"). She also, indirectly, has a sense of achievement and growth. This is Sneha's dream job.

3. Though Sneha is passionate about her job, it is difficult to say how she would react or respond to rules that may be imposed to working conditions. For example, if a new rule is imposed where an employee will not be permitted to take work home, that may take away a part of Sneha's sense of fulfillment. She may find that her talent is not put to optimal use. This change in work conditions may alter her attitude towards her work.

Other than that, for a boss whose passion also lies beyond monetary returns or who understands Sneha's attitude and priority, it will be an absolute joy to handle the almost independent Sneha.