Alderfer's ERG theory like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory requires an individual to satisfy a lower level need for a higher-level need to become the driver of a person's behavior.

James is an employee in the widget inspection department of xyz systems, a government contractor. james was part of a 3-person inspection team that found a particular batch of widgets did not meet the exacting requirements of the u.s. government. in order to meet the tight deadline and avoid penalties under the contract, james' boss demanded that the batch of widgets be sent in fulfillment of the government contract. when james found out, he went to the vice president of the company and reported the situation. james was demoted by his boss, and no longer works on government projects. james has a: