Abstract

Lecturers play an important role in ensuring training quality, meeting the requirements of higher education innovation, and contributing to enhancing the position and reputation of universities. Applying Maslow's hierarchy of needs enables leaders and managers to accurately identify lecturers’ essential needs and develop solutions to motivate them. Based on the fi ve levels of basic human needs, this study identifi es groups of suitable solutions for eff ectively applying the theory to motivate lecturers at public universities in Ho Chi Minh City, including: (i) ensuring material conditions and income (physiological needs); (ii) stable employment policies and protection of lecturers’ rights (safety needs); fostering a positive, friendly work environment and strengthening professional connections (social needs); recognizing achievements and promoting professional values (esteem needs); and facilitating comprehensive professional development and creativity (self-actualization needs).

Keywords: Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, lecturers, work motivation, public universities.