What needs must be satisfied before management can motivate employees with higher-level needs?

The correct answer highlights the importance of understanding Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which outlines a progression of human motivation starting from basic needs to higher-level needs. In this framework, the lower-level needs must be satisfied before a person can focus on higher-level needs.

Low-level needs encompass physiological needs (such as food, water, and shelter) and safety needs (such as stability, health, and security). Only when these foundational needs are met can individuals move on to fulfilling higher-level needs, such as love/social needs and esteem needs. This theory posits that motivation is derived from the fulfillment of these needs in a sequential order.

The other options, while representing various aspects of human needs, do not align with the necessary prerequisite that low-level needs must be satisfied first. Esteem needs and love/social needs are considered higher-level needs, and entertainment needs are not a recognized category within Maslow's hierarchy. Therefore, the progression must start at the base with low-level needs before management can effectively motivate employees through the fulfillment of higher-level needs, leading to increased motivation and productivity in the workplace.