Final answer:
Abraham Maslow introduced the study that ranked job-related factors based on worker motivation, aligning with his theory of the hierarchy of needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study that inquired into what factors motivate workers the most by asking them to rank job-related factors was an innovative approach undertaken by Abraham Maslow. Maslow is renowned for his hierarchy of needs theory, which suggested that people are motivated by a range of needs, starting from basic survival needs to higher-level needs such as self-actualization. This study represented a shift towards understanding the psychological and self-fulfillment factors that influence employee motivation, rather than just the physical or monetary factors.