It could be argued that executive employment also contradicts Maslow’s theory in some respects. Many executive contracts represent individuals trading off defi ciency needs (eg security of employment) for growth needs (. self-actualisation/abil- ity to direct the fi rm). Th e less popular aspects of executive employment (cutting cost through dismissal of staff , accepting salaries many times higher than fellow staff and citizens) might threaten the need for belonging and esteem. Maslow’s theory has been criticized by subsequent behavioral researchers. For example, Wahba and Bridwell (1976) found that there was little empirical evidence for Maslow’s ranking.
