Oct, 2017 to learn more about theory x and theory y, see the article at. Mcgregors xy theory is a salutary and simple reminder of the natural rules for managing people, which under the pressure of daytoday business are all too easily forgotten. Theory x says that the average human being is lazy and self. Theory x and theory y management applicationbusiness implications for workforce motivation. Theory x and theory y were first explained by mcgregor in his book, the human side of enterprise, and they refer to two styles of management authoritarian theory x and participative theory y. Mcgregor himself held to the belief that theory y assumptions were more valid than theory x. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. Theory x and theory y of motivation explain with examples. Pdf theory x and theory y published in the sage encyclopedia. Douglas mcgregor proposed two models of trust that formed the basis of two different managerial approaches, one based on a positive view of subordinates and one based on a negative view.
X and consider using the techniques suggested by theory y. Either theory x or theory y assumptions may be appropriate in a particular situation. Mcgregor s sets forth two alternative views of human nature first view are called theory x and the second view is called theory y. Furthermore, there is a certain amount of confusion around the underlying principles of the theories. Although nearly 50 years have passed since mcgregor s initial formulation of theory x and theory y, the substantive validity of his theorizing on the effects of individual differences in. The two theories are sets of propositions and beliefs about human nature. First, there has been a failure to distinguish between theory xy attitudes and theory xy behaviors. Theory x and theory y of management represent two fundamental approaches to employee engagement carson, 2005. Theory x and theory y published in the sage encyclopedia of management theories.
This theory divides workers and managers in the organization in two typical groups according to how managers lead their subordinates and respectively how subordinates behave. Motivation, theory x and y, classroom, management manager and organisation introduction douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous theory x and y in his book the human side of enterprise in 1960. May, 2016 many theorists support that mcgregors theory considers the field of management from a new angle, indicating a strong influential value. Conversely, mcgregor saw theory y managers as those that hold assumptions that. Many managers tend towards theory x, and generally get poor results. It was a period characterized by the work of maslow, likert, argyris. Mcgregor recognized that x type workers are in fact usually the minority, and yet in mass organizations, such as large scale production environment, x theory management may be required and can be unavoidable. Management theorist douglas mcgregor coined these terms to describe two fundamentally different approaches to managing people. As such, it is these higherlevel needs through which employees can best be motivated. Pdf leadership style and organizational performance have been. Theory x and theory y, given by mcgregor, are explained below with the main assumptions of each theory. The definitive guide stepbystep maslows hierarchy of needs. They were created by douglas mcgregor while he was working at the mit. Comparative analysis of theory x, theory y, theory z, and theory.
Both the theories, which are very different from each other, are used by managers to motivate their employees. The negative view he called theory x and the positive view he called theory y. This article and video will explore mcgregors theory further, and well look at how it applies in the workplace. Mcgregor holds the opinion that theory x assumptions about organisation, management, and man are obstacles to performance, and productivity. My boss asks me politely to do things, gives me reasons why, and invites my suggestions. Do you care about the goals of the organization that you work for, or do you focus more on getting a regular paycheck to bring home. Critically evaluate mcgregors theroy x and theory y.
Theory x gives importance to supervision, while theory y stresses on rewards and recognition. The outcomes of positive outlook at mankind in organizations let people participate in decisionmaking process, encouraging communication for improvement. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management. Theory x and theory y are part of motivational theories. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a lecturer at harvard university and became the first sloan fellows professor at mit his theory x and theory y was detailed in the human side of enterprise, published in 1960. Conversely, mcgregor saw theory y managers as those that hold assumptions that workers care about the organization, will seek responsibility, and exercise self. Advantages of theory x and y the biggest advantage of using theory x. There is no evidence to confirm that either set of assumptions is valid.
In his 1960 management book, the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor made his mark on the history of organizational management and motivational psychology when he proposed the two theories by which managers perceive employee motivation. Douglas mcgregor s theory incorporates both internal and external motivation. In 1960, douglas mcgregor formulated theory x and theory y suggesting two aspects of human behaviour at work, or in other words, two different views of individuals employees. Douglas mcgregor then arrived at the conclusion that the style of leadership depends on the. Theory x and y were created and developed by douglas mcgregor in the 1960s. The present study explored the possibility that mcgregors 1960 theory x y assumptions serve as cognitive determinants of superior communicator style, a multidimensional set of style variables that can have considerable effects on subordinate wellbeing and organizational viability. In 1960, douglas mcgregor formulated theory x and theory y suggesting two aspects of human behaviour at work, or in other words, two different views of. Theory x and theory y were first introduced in the early work of douglas mcgregor. Kopelman professor of management baruch college david j. He avoided descriptive labels and simply called the theories theory x and theory y.
Theory x and y were created and developed by douglas mcgregor at the mit sloan school of management in the 1960s 2. In 1960, douglas mcgregor developed a leadership theory mcgregor theory x and theory y about organization and management in which he represented two opposing perceptions about people. Theory x is propounded by mcgregor, which indicates a set of assumptions, that an average worker is motivated to satisfy their own needs and not to contribute to the fulfilment of organisational goals. Theory x and theory y are theories of human work motivation and management. Mcgregors theory x and theory y theory of motivation. These theories continue to be important even today. Difference between theory x and theory y with comparison. Read this article to learn about mcgregors theory of x and theory y.
The idea behind using letters x and y, perhaps seems to be using a neutral terminology, which does not convey any sense of badness. Nov 25, 2019 douglas mcgregors theory incorporates both internal and external motivation. So, in place of theory x mcgregor proposed a new theory broadly recognized as theory. Mcgregors theory is also from are one of those theories that comprise much influence on both the management and the employee.
Abstract what motivates you to do a great job when you go to work. His work showed that thoughts and beliefs might influence behavio. The three prior studies that have made this distinction were recently conducted solely to develop constructvalid measures of both. Therefore, managers must direct employees, control them through close supervision, and coerce. Mcgregor s x y theory is a salutary and simple reminder of the natural rules for managing people, which under the pressure of daytoday business are all too easily forgotten. It appeared at a time when the behavioral sciences were playing an increasing role in how managers thought about their work. Theory x and theory y in his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor proposed two theories by which to view employee motivation. Pdf douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise, changed the path of management thinking and practice by. In contrast to the principles of conventional management mentioned as theory x, the advocated theory y illuminated a cluster of new or redefined concepts such as selffulfilling prophecy and responsibility. Theory x and theory y management oxford bibliographies.
Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y as far as mcgregor was concerned, this was a starting place, not a definitive set of universal rules to be adopted without question. According to mcgregor, the perception of managers on the nature of. One criticism of mcgregor s theory x is that it creates diseconomies of scale in large applications. Mcgregor s ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people.
If you believe that your team members dislike their work and have little motivation, then, according to mcgregor, youll likely use an. Theory into practice abraham maslow viewed mcgregor as a mentor. Introduced by douglas mcgregor, theory x and theory y talk about the diverging views that exist about how organizations function. Mcgregors work made a significant impact on managerial thought. What are the criticism of mcgregors theory x and theory y. Theory x and theory y in 1960, douglas mcgregor formulated theory x and theory y suggesting two aspects of human behaviour at work, or in other words, two different views of individuals employees. Theory x and y created by mcgregor has been a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. Pdf theory x and theory y type leadership behavior and its. Advantages and disadvantages of theory x and y essay. He referred to these two perceptions as theory x and theory y. Theory y theory y expounds a participative style of management that is decentralized. Jul 08, 2017 the points given below are substantial, so far as the difference between theory x and theory y is concerned. Contentsadvantages of theory x and ydisadvantages of theory x and ydifference between theory x and theory y douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y have both their advantages and disadvantages, though many would prefer to call them their strengths and weaknesses.
Theory x is based on the assumption that the average person has an inherent dislike of work physical and mental effort, does not want responsibility, and lacks ambition. According to mcgregor, theory x seeks to promote engagement by directing, monitoring. Prottas assistant professor of management adelphi university anne l. This entry first describes ising strategies for improved transfer in todays mcgregors theory x and theory y. Motivating people using theory x and theory y youtube. One criticism of mcgregor s theory y is that it may not be possible for the superior. Douglas mcgregor is the one who constructed theory x and y in the 1960s. Aug 05, 2019 theory x and theory y are considered as theories of human motivation at the workplace. He was a strong supporter of theories x and y, and he put theory y that people want to work, achieve and take responsibility into practice in a californian electronics factory. From this reasoning, mcgregor proposed an alternative. Davis colonel tooele army depot douglas mcgregor s landmark book, the human side of enterprise 1960, changed the path of management.
Mcgregors ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people. Application of theory x and y in classroom management by. Both theories x and y are proposed by mcgregor which describe the workforce models which are contrasting in nature and which are used by reporting managers in organizational behaviour and human. Mcgregors theory x and theory y the idea that a managers attitude has an impact on employee motivation was originally proposed by douglas mcgregor, a management professor at the massachusetts institute of technology during the 1950s and 1960s. This theory was developed by douglas mcgregor in 1950s at mit. Theory x percieves employees to be lazy, irresponsible and untrustworthy, while according to theory y employees are approached as one of the most valuable assets of the company.
Mcgregor argued that these assumptions fall into two broad categories theory x and theory y. Mcgregors theory x and theory y are theories about human behavior and motivation in the organization that was published in 1960 by douglas mcgregor. Mar 21, 20 theory x and theory y framework proposed by mcgregor in his classic book the human side of enterprise 1960 consists of two alternative set of assumptions. We should emphasize that we have labeled these assumptions as a step beyond theory y because of mcgregors own recognition that the theory y assumptions would probably be supplanted by new.
Douglas mcgregor has developed two sets of assumptions about human behaviour. Dogan unlucan mcgregor theories x and theory y student. They are inadequate to realize all the human potentialities. Xy theory questionnaire score the statements 5 always, 4 mostly, 3 often, 2 occasionally, 1 rarely, 0 never to indicate whether the situation and management style is x or y. Sep 09, 2016 douglas mcgregor wrote about theory x and theory y in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Theory y the higherlevel needs of esteem and selfactualization are continuing needs in that they are never completely satisfied. Pdf application of mcgregors theory x and theory y. They were created by douglas mcgregor while he was working at the mit sloan school of management in the 1950s, and developed further in the 1960s. Theory x and theory y team management training from. Mcgregors sets forth two alternative views of human nature first view are called theoryx and the second view is called theoryy.