Human Enterprise the Human Side

Human Enterprise

The Human Side of Enterprise: Social Needs and Ego Needs

Social Needs:

In the section entitled "Social Needs," McGregor (1957) makes the point that the social needs of man will have an inherent bearing on his behaviors. The author contends that once his basic survival needs have been met, he will turn his attention to meeting his wants and desires through community orientation. This will take the form of friendship, peer groups and romantic engagements. Collectively, these, the author makes the point, are viewed as an essential and primary dimension of the human experience.

This point contributes to a primary argument in McGregor's article. Here, the author attempts to dismiss convention logic which has historically attempting to limit or stifle fluid social interaction in the workplace. Many places of employment have viewed this as have a disruptive impact or as reducing productivity by causing workers to engage too long in conversation or personal interaction relating to non-work essential matters. To the contrary, McGregor argues that "management, fearing group hostility to its own objectives, often goes to considerable lengths to control and direct human efforts in ways that are inimical to the natural 'groupiness' of human beings. When man's social needs -- and perhaps his safety needs, too -- are thus thwarted, he behaves in ways which tend to defeat organizational objectives. He becomes resistant, antagonistic, uncooperative. But this behaviors is a consequence, not a cause." (p. 184)

This contributes to the basic argument that a positive social context will be a positive working context. By creating a working environment where individuals enjoy collaborating, where conversation is fluid and where ideas flow dynamically between employees, morale and productivity are likely both to improve.

Ego Needs:

McGregor makes a similar point where individual ego needs are concerned. Quite certainly, all personnel like to know that their work, efforts and particular skills are being appreciated. McGregor points out that this dimension represents a great priority to man subsequent to having achieved his survival needs and attended to his social requirements. When these basic imperatives have been satisfied, McGregor makes the point that all individuals will attempt some greater level of personal validation. This, he reports, is to be formed on a combination of personal self-esteem and the validation given thereto by others.