Not Only Economic Beings But also Social Beings Too

       When we are going to discuss the topic mentioned above, we have to consider various motivation theories. Considering the various motivation theories, there are no of different views as to what motivates workers. By referring those theories, we can have a discussion about the above topic. The most commonly held views or theories are discussed below.

    Frederick Taylor, known as the father of scientific management, published principles of scientific management in which he proposed work methods designed to increase worker productivity

    Elton Mayo, known as the father of the Hawthorne studies which demonstrated the important influence of human factors on worker productivity

   Abraham Maslow along with Frederick Herzberg introduced the Neo Human relations which focused on the psychological needs of employees.

   When we consider the scientific management which was introduced by Frederick Taylor, there are four principles described in scientific management.

   Mental revolution of work: Study the workmen, Select the workmen, Deliberately train the  workmen to be a better class of worker, Pay them higher wages, Modeling with best worker, Role model, Difference of the mental attitude, Second chance, Additional training, No room for pretense, Teachers are welcome, Apply the scientific management to the worker, not “ mollycoddle”

   Bringing together the scientific management and workmen for better treatment, More consideration, More opportunities

    Involves a complete re-division of the work management and workmen, To participate in design albeit one sided by observation, Enhanced tool design as applied to various work situations

    Taylor put forward the idea that workers are motivated mainly by pay.  His theory of scientific management argued the following.

    Workers do not naturally enjoy work and so need close supervision and control
    Managers should break down production into a series of small tasks
    Workers should then be given appropriate training and tools they can work as efficiently as possible on one set task
    Workers are then paid according to the number of items they produce in a set period of time piece-rate pay
    As a result workers are encouraged to work hard and maximize their productivity

Taylor’s methods were widely adopted as businesses saw the benefits of increased productivity levels and lower unit costs. Taylor’s approach has close links with the concept of an autocratic management style (Managers take all the decisions and simply give orders to those below them). However workers soon came to dislike Taylor’s approach as they were only given boring, repetitive tasks to carry out and were being treated little better than human machines. Firms could also afford to lay off workers as productivity levels increased. This led to an increase in strikes and other forms of industrial action by dis-satisfied workers.

In my opinion towards the scientific management of Frederick Taylor, workers are considered as economic beings and don’t give the attention to the social side. Majority of the workers are men. So, men are also considered as economic beings rather than social beings. To improve productivity, Taylor examined the time and motion details of a job, developed a better method for performing that job and trained the workers. Furthermore, Taylor offered a piece rate that increased as workers produced more. One of his famous experiments had to do with increasing the output of a worker loading pig iron to a rail car. Taylor broke the job down into its smallest constituent movements, timing each one with a stopwatch. The job was redesigned with a reduced no of motions as well as effort and the risk of error. Rest periods of specific interval and duration and a differential pay scale were used to improve the output. The Taylor model gave rise to dramatic productivity increases.

When we consider the Hawthorne studies of Elton Mayo, he believed that workers are not just concerned with money, but could be better motivated by having their social needs met whilst at work (Something that Taylor ignored). He introduced the Human Relation School of thought, which focused on managers taking more of an interest in the workers, treating them as people who have worthwhile opinions and realizing that workers enjoy interacting together.

Mayo concluded that workers are best motivated by,

    ·         Better communication between managers and workers
    ·         Greater manager involvement in employees working lives
    ·         Working in groups or teams

So his theory most closely fits in with a paternalistic style of management.

In my opinion towards the theory of Elton Mayo, he gave his more attention to the social facts of the worker rather than considering the worker as an economic being. The Hawthorne studies are significant because they demonstrated the important influence of human factors on worker productivity. In one of their studies, the illumination experiment, they tried to determine whether better lighting would lead to increased productivity. Both the control group and the experimental group of female employees produced more irrespective of whether the lights were turned up or down. It was discovered that the increased productivity was a result of the attention received by the group.

We can take this theory under the Behavioral approach. The classical approach assumes that people work for economic reasons only and behavior of people can be fairly predicted and easy to understand. In most cases it is not true and their actions may not be rational, logical or reasonable and may not be entirely satisfying economic needs. Therefore the need to understand the human behavior is important. The behavioral approach is a view of management that emphasizes the understanding of human behavior, needs and attitudes within formal organizations. The human relations movement began with the Hawthorne studies of Elton Mayo.

When we consider the Neo Human Relations of Abraham Maslow along with Frederick Herzberg, a theory was put forward by Maslow that there are five levels of human needs which employees need to have fulfilled at work. All of the needs are structured into a hierarchy and only once a lower level of need has been fully met, would worker be motivated by the opportunity of having the next need up in the hierarchy satisfied. A business should therefore offer different incentives to workers in order to help them to fulfill each need in turn and progress up the hierarchy. Managers should also recognize that workers are not all motivated in the same way and do not all move up the hierarchy at the same pace. So, therefore they have to offer a slightly different set of incentives from worker to worker.

In my opinion towards the theory of Abraham Maslow, it is better to consider the each and every worker in a particular organization. Satisfying all the workers in an organization is better than satisfying the portion of workers. If the satisfaction can be done up to a desired level expected by the worker, everyone works more efficiently and effectively. Then it is more beneficial to the organization and automatically productivity will be increased.

Considering the present condition of the world, many labor rules and regulations are introduced to the industry and it is beneficial to both employer and employee. Also men are the major portion of the workers. So, it is better to consider them not only as economic beings, but also as social beings too.

The Most Noble Beginning Is Saddha

The Most Noble Beginning Is Saddha….!

    Saddha has been referred to as the confidence towards the understanding of Lord Buddha (Saddhahati Tathagatassa Bodhin). All of us must endeavor to at least come to Saddha in this life. Why? If we come to Saddha it will enable us to get all the improvements. There can be no improvement or progress without Saddha.

    Therefore we must generate the will to develop Saddha (This does not imply that you do not have or have Saddha). Although we accumulate a lot of things, we cannot receive the benefits from Dhamma without Saddha.

    If a person comes to Saddha he is referred to as one who has come to Samma Ditthi (right understanding). A worthy person. So it is a very delicate matter. We must understand that this is something which cannot be done easily. A person has to be very fortunate for this. If we instill Saddha in us and develop it, our Sakkaya Ditthi (the idea of self) leaves us. It is a very delicate matter. That is why Lord Buddha preached that it is more delicate than shooting one seventh of a horse hair with another seventh part of a horse hair face to face.

Why was a horse hair taken for this simile? Because a horse hair is thinner than a human hair. Then how difficult is shooting like this? It is said that breaking Sakkaya Ditthi is even more difficult. It is true that it is very difficult. But it does not imply that it is impossible.

    If one thinks that it is impossible to come to it, it actually becomes impossible. The same thing happens when one thinks that I can. I understand or I have understood. If one thinks that he cannot do it, he will not be able to do it. When one keeps on getting entangled in these thoughts the rare opportunity that has come our way gets thrown away from us.

    We must try as much as possible to come to Saddha. If not we are likely to go astray. There are many avenues that can lead us astray. But for Nibbana there is only one road. Only one guide.

    That single road is thinking that “Lord Buddha knows. I do not know” (Keetagiri Sutta). The only guidance we get is from the sincere friend.

    The idea that “I know” nurtures our mind with several things. Finally even the Dhamma we study may be taken in that way. Without allowing that to happen try to come to the view “I do not know. Only Lord Buddha knows. I will accept it that way”.

    We come here after learning many things. We think that “I am the one who knows”. Finally we call ourselves as knowing the Dhamma well. Why? We are in the opinion that “I am the one who knows”.

    It is like this. There is a bush of thorns at the bottom of a hill. When it rains fertile soil settles down round the thorn bush after getting washed down from the hill. The soil is fertile but what gets nurtured is the thorn bush.

    Like this it is the fertile soil of Dhamma that we gather round us. But what gets nurtured is the thorn bush called “I am the one who knows”. When the thorn bush grows up even an animal does not approach it. Will not go even passing it. In the same way the biggest danger to a person on arriving at the view “I know”. “I understand” is his becoming a person who does not listen.

    He loses his sincere friend. He loses listening to Dhamma. (He loses both external sources of help). Then what is he left with? Only with the notion “I know” and “I understand”. He keeps on repeating this. Finally he will say “No one taught me. I studied on my own. I do not need anyone now. I will become solitary now”.

    This is a big danger. Therefore you always think “Whatever Lord Buddha taught I will do it in that way”. Think that you are the listener. What we want is to get released from Sansaric Sorrow. That is why Lord Buddha preached to king Kosala as follows.

“Oh Maharaja. This is how you must discipline yourself. I will become a person with sincere friends. I must get inclined to having sincere friends”.
(Kalyana Mitta Sutta – Sanyutta Nikaya 01)


    You also think this way. Then you will not be in the position of “I know”. When you think that way the idea “I know” will wear off. Then association with sincere friends becomes delightful for him. He will not be able to be without sincere friends. He gets the opportunity to listen to Dhamma. Yonisomanasikara (thinking wisely as mentioned in Dhamma) arises in him. He develops the Noble Eight Fold path. This happens solely due to association with sincere friends.

    The individual without that idea develops the notions “I know”, “That person cannot understand”. Lord Buddha has explained how we can come to Saddha straight away. We must be humble enough to do so.

    To do so we frequently practice “Lord Buddha knows…….” I am a person with sincere friends….”. We must practice these things fearlessly. If we practice these, no one can prevent us from getting onto the path leading to Nibbana. Why? Because Lord Buddha preached. So it will never change. Look at this discourse.
Chakku Sutta (Okkanthi Sanyutta – Sanyutta Nikaya.03)


    Oh monks, Eye is an impermanent object. A changing object. Something that transfers to another form. Ear is an impermanent object……. Nose…….. Tongue…….. Body……. Mind is an impermanent object. A changing object. Something that transfers to another form. Oh monks, if someone believes these principles in that way, gets immersed in Saddha he is referred to as Saddhanusari. He will not die until he attains the fruit of Sotapanna (the first stage on the path to deliverance)

    What is meant by “in that way” It means in the way explained. What is meant by “having confidence?” Accepting what Lord Buddha has preached as correct is confidence. This confidence will in time to come will turn out to be something clear to the person. The belief will transform into an understanding within us.

    Lord Buddha knows that the person with defilement is wrapped up in the idea of the ego. Also that he is wrapped up in the concept “I know”. Therefore Lord Buddha is well aware of this idea being doubted. Some people struggle to understand this in depth. Lord Buddha did not preach it that way. He wanted us to accept that these principles (eye is impermanent…….). He wanted us not to doubt them.

    Why does he preach so much about this? If we accept this, from that moment we start getting released from the Sansara. Lord Budda preaches it with great compassion. (see..Chakku Sutta…..Saddhanusari).If someone accepts these principles he immediately becomes Saddhanusari. A clever person does not take much time.

    We must read these preachings even hundreds of times and try to understand and come to that level. Think and retain in your memory the following “I will obey Lord Buddha and conduct myself in the way he wanted us to conduct ourselves. I will not do anything else”.

Getting back to the simile about the thorny bush. When it rains fertile soil comes down to the bush of thorns and it grows up in a couple of days. Ultimately it becomes too big to be pulled out. Sin is also like that. So we must pull out this thorny bush and plant a good tree on that fertile soil. The biggest thorn bush we have is the notion “I know”.

    The good tree we plant after uprooting the thorny bush is “Lord Buddha knows. I don’t know”. These thoughts lift up the man to a noble level. If he arrives in the idea “We know” it amounts to our tightening our own necks. We read what Lord Buddha has preached. Then we assume “I know”. How low? Wish that such a thing will not happen to even an enemy. Therefore if we become humble in that manner we would have done something very much beneficial to our lives. The instant we start having confidence that way, Kammic actions, causing rebirth in the fourfold hells will not get performed by us.

Form the discourse:-

    “He is not capable of performing any Kamma which results in birth in hell, world of Petas or in the world of animals. He has no ability to die without attaining the fruit of Sotapanna”. So haven’t we come to the correct track? So, you must try to arrive at this stage even after trying all your life time. Form the discourse:- “Oh monks, if someone has a sufficient understanding of these principles through wisdom, he is referred to as Dhammanusari”. If someone believes that these principles are like this and starts practicing, he starts understanding them as time goes on.

 From the preaching:-

    “Oh monks, If someone understands these principles in that way, sees them that way, he will not fall into hell, he will definitely have the refuge of Nibbana” The understanding in such a person will one day turn out to be a realization. To achieve this big thing, the thorn bushes that have to be got rid of are “I am the one who knows”. “I can” “I have memorized. The other fellow cannot”. “I understand well. I can speak well”. You must not have room for these and discipline this mind saying “I will do whatever the Lord Buddha preaches and whatever my sincere friend tells me to do”. This immense benefit has come to us. It is a pity if we let go of it. Therefore let us all try our best not to leave room for those immature thoughts. It is because we do not have confidence that we say “this is impossible” etc. These can be broken only by the person who is associating with sincere friends. If somehow or other we step into Saddha we will be able to end our Sansaric journey at most in seven births. But if we become impatient it will be like trying to see the same dream again. Therefore do not take trouble to see a dream seen once. Attaining Nibbana is not a dream. Think of establishing Saddha in these principles and think of getting liberated from this sorrowful Sansara.

    It is the nature of the person who has developed Saddha in respect of these principles to endeavour to do it with mind, word and body. Then delight arises in him. Why? Because all his doubts leave him. When there are doubts he thinks “I do not understand. I do not know whether it will be possible” etc.

    The hindrances develop in him. Pleasant words, thoughts, deeds do not arise in him. His sense organs are not pleasant. Even the face is unpleasant. If the doubts are to be removed develop Saddha in these principles. Then he will think of the principles. Then he will live in delight. His thoughts, words and deeds will be beautiful. Even the facial expressions will be delightful. There will be no remorse, worries or difficulties in him. He will be inclined to help others. Such a group of people would be like flowers in a flower garden. He thinks of the good qualities of those who helped him. ‘Ingratitude’ will leave him. The instant he arrives in Saddha, gratitude arises. He meditates without difficulty. He attains concentration. When he thinks of these principles while in concentration he understands “this eye is impermanent….” It becomes a realization to him. Then where did we start? After pulling out the thorn bush called “I know” and instilling Saddha.

Dr Padmaka Silva ( padmakasilva@gmail.com) 
Compiled with instructions from Ven Nawalapitiye Ariyawansa Thero) 
This article has been taken from DailyNews online edition.