A critical systems thinking approach to empower refugees based on Maslow's theory of human motivation

Abstract

The life of a refugee is hard. We show how Maslow's theory of motivation can be utilized to better understand the situation of refugees in the Netherlands. Our aim is to formulate guidelines for the authorities in terms of logistical support. From a methodological position, we motivate the use of critical systems thinking to be used in wicked problems. The popular account of Maslow's work undermines key aspects from the original work, namely, preconditions for need satisfaction and the role of information. As we analysed stories told by refugees, it is these lesser known aspects of his theory that provided most insights. Freedom in host countries is gained on different levels. Contrasting Maslow's view, we propose that freedom is an “end” and hierarchical. Without information, the refugee cannot experience freedom. Because the stories of the refugees follow Maslow's needs hierarchy, we argue that information provided should be according to this hierarchy.

Challenges of Researchers in Conducting International Study during the Eruption of COVID-19: Student and Mentor Perspectives

“…Researchers may utilize the time productively in data analysis to be delivered to collaborative agencies in a faster manner. “The methodology should inherently be aimed at improving the situation for those affected by it” [ 44 ] (p. 716). Thus, productivity may assist agencies and policy makers in incorporating the research recommendations to the benefit of their beneficiaries and staff.…”

The Learning Economy Regime

“…Rather, he proposed that it represents the "relatively more ultimate, more universal, more basic" aspects of the shared human experience (Maslow, 1987, p.70), or as Winston et al (2017, p. 298) phrase it, "cultures differ in their means but are similar in their desired ends." Maslow's idea of a needs hierarchy has proven influential not only in its original field of humanistic psychology but also in other areas of the social sciences, including: marketing (Gladden, 2020), systems research (Goede & Burken, 2019); finance (Li et al, 2019); quality of life (Nishi & Moakumla, 2018); governance (Sacchetti & Tortia, 2016); organizational behavior (Harvard, 2010); and the management sciences (McGregor, 2006). More recent empirical studies tend to lean towards Maslow's theory of a ranked hierarchy of needs (de Oliveira et al, 2020;Alajmi & Alasousi, 2019;Haider et al, 2018;Mahmudah, 2018;and Winston et al, 2017), 5 suggesting the theory accords in its broad outlines with common experience.…”

Innovation and optimization in nature and design

“…Their case study area, the experienced life of refugees in the Netherlands, brings the importance of freedom clearly into view, showing that the popular account of Maslow's theory undermines key aspects from the original work, in particular the preconditions for need satisfaction, including freedom. They go further to argue that freedom is also an “end” at each level of the hierarchy and that attaining freedom hinges critically on the accessibility and provisioning of information (Goede & Boshuijzen‐ van Burken, ).…”