Which theory identifies two different sets of factors that can motivate and demotivate employees?

• A. Harassment
• B. Herzberg's two-factor theory
• C. High-performance team
• D. Ghost employee

Answer: (B)

Two sets of workplace factors influence how employees feel about their jobs: factors that prevent dissatisfaction and factors that actively motivate. This idea comes from Herzberg's two-factor theory, also known as the motivation-hygiene theory. Hygiene factors—such as salary, company policies, supervision, working conditions, relationships with coworkers, and job security—can prevent dissatisfaction, but improving them alone doesn’t create lasting motivation. Motivators—like achievement, recognition, the work itself, responsibility, growth, and advancement—drive true motivation when present. If motivators are lacking, motivation can fall even when hygiene factors are adequate. The other options don’t describe a theory about two sets of motivational factors; harassment is inappropriate behavior, a high-performance team is about team effectiveness, and a ghost employee refers to payroll fraud.