Case Study - Arctic Mining Company

How Case Study Relates to Topic 4 – Motivation

This case focuses quite heavily on drive and motivation. The mention of a $300 bonus early in the case study narrative could immediately suggest that the bonus is the primary driving factor in the group getting the work completed within a 7 day time frame.

The primary relationships and personal attributes for modelling using various theories are those between Parker, Millar and Boyce. There is little information that could be used in any theories covered in topic 4 relating to Talbot.

Millar and Maslow’s

Given the information in the case narrative, Millar seeks to fulfil the social level of his needs. He seems to want to show that he is contributing to the group, thereby seeking acceptance from the group (mainly acceptance from Parker). The signs that he is concerned about belonging (or at least ‘pulling his own weight’) are shown in Day 3 where, after receiving a blasting form Parker, Millar said “that he would try to pick up the pace” and then backed up his words with actions, improving on his previous day’s quota by 1.5 lengths. We see more signs on Day 5, 6 and 7 where Millar remarked that he was doing his best and that he didn’t stop for lunch and didn’t know how to do any better and was the first out and last in on days 6 and 7 respectively.

Millar feels that by completing his allotted quota that he will be more accepted by/into the group, thereby fulfilling his social need in Maslow’s model.

It would seem that Millar is also seeking to fulfil his esteem need. While not specifically seeking recognition, Millar is seeking to not be verbally abused by Parker. The esteem need seeks to gain the attention and recognition that comes from others. While Millar is not particularly seeking recognition, he is seeking to not be recognised for the right reasons.

Millar and McClelland’s theory of Needs

Closely related to Maslow’s, Millar is driven by the need for affiliation and achievement, which is amplified...