Investigation into employee psychosocial needs as a factor of managerial development

Abstract

The following dissertation addresses psychosocial needs of employees as a form of motivational strategies in the workforce and how these strategies can form an integral part of the total functioning of an organisation. The initial procedures involved in developing an argument upon which to base the research question ('Can jobs become more satisfying if the manager applies psychological theories to managerial practise?') are in the form of investigation executed by way of an action research approach. The outcomes of the investigation have enabled the researcher to formulate a theory based on employee needs. The theory is tested by conducting a Literature Review addressing two principal themes: psychology and management. The outcomes of the Literature Review not only test the theory but offer implications of addressing employee needs in the total organisational concept. Finally, the researcher suggests possible future directions and further implications of addressing employee psychosocial needs in the workforce as a form of managerial development.