Douglas mcgregor 1960, 1966 classified managers attitudes or belief system, which he called assumptions, as theory x and y. 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. Both of these theories begin with the premise that managements role is to assemble the factors of production, including people, for the economic benefit of the firm. His theory x and theory y was detailed in the human side of enterprise, published in 1960. Managers with theory x attitudes hold that subordinates dislike work, avoid work if they can, and show little ambition.
Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human. In addition, managers who tend to utilize mcgregors theory x generally receive poor results from their employees. Mcgregors theoryx and theoryy what is human resource. Organizational communication channel 114,558 views. Free xy theory test tool personal and organizational pdf. On the other hand, if you believe that your people take pride in their work and see it as a challenge, then youll more likely adopt a participative management style. As you would expect, theory y sees motivation in the opposite manner of theory x. Douglas mcgregor, one of maslow s students, influenced the study of motivation with his formulation of two contrasting sets of assumptions about human nature 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 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. This is the idea behind douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y. Difference between theory x and theory y with comparison. Pdf application of mcgregors theory x and theory y.
Douglas mcgregor has developed two sets of assumptions about human behaviour. Mcgregor promoted theory y as the basis of good management practice, pioneering the argument that workers are not merely cogs in the company machinery, as theory xtype organizations seemed to believe. Douglas mcgregor then arrived at the conclusion that the style of leadership depends on the. Theory x and theory y also have implications in military command and control c2. This article and video will explore mcgregors theory further, and well look at how it. Given the drawbacks of theory x, mcgregor developed an alternative theory of human behavior called theory y. Social psychologist mcgregors theoryx and theoryyof mit expounded two contrasting theories on human motivation and management in the 1960s. Critically evaluate mcgregors theroy x and theory y.
Mcgregors six assumptions of theory y and his ideas of integrating individual and organization goals are congruent with the main planks in. Theory x managers believe that their employees come to work just to earn a living, and that they dont want to take on new responsibilities. I knew instinctively that mcgregor s assessment of the traditional view management, which he names theory x, was true because i had worked in x environments for years, trying to run y divisions. The traditional view of direction and control theory x is based on the assumptions that. Mcgregor proposed theory y assumptions about human nature as an alternative to theory x. He referred to these opposing motivational methods as theory x and theory y management. Toward a constructvalid measure article pdf available in journal of managerial issues 202. Theory into practice abraham maslow viewed mcgregor as a mentor. Mcgregor postulated 2 theories on human management and leadership which are theory x and theory y.
May 05, 2018 douglas mcgregors in his book the human side of enterprise published in 1960, explained two different kinds of theories or assumptions about human behavior. The theory x management style is based on a pessimistic view of human nature and assumes the following. Mcgregors theory x and theory y introduction human beings have been studied systematically and objectively for many years to determine if they are resistant to work or selfgoverning. 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. Mcgregor argued that these assumptions fall into two broad categories theory x and theory y. Motivation theory x and theory y free management books.
Workers are committed and can work independently without direction to achieve. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous x y theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management. According to theory y, when conditions are favorable, the individual finds work appealing and is highly motivated at need levels maslows hierarchy of needs. Mcgregors work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of abraham maslow, who created the hierarchy of needs. Theory y theory y expounds a participative style of management that is decentralized. Theory x is management style where the emphasis is on productivity,on the concept of a fair days work, on the evils of featherbedding and targeted output.
Theory x and theory y are theories of human work motivation and management. Older, strictly hierarchical conceptions of c2, with narrow centralization of decision rights, highly constrained patterns of interaction, and limited information distribution tend to arise from cultural and organizational assumptions compatible with theory x. Theory x and y were created and developed by douglas mcgregor in the 1960s. Mcgregor s six assumptions of theory y and his ideas of integrating individual and organization goals are congruent with the main planks in. Theory x and theory y describe two views of people at work and may be used to describe two opposing management styles. The purpose of this paper is to trace douglas mcgregors theory y thinking back from pre. Hereafter, we refer to mcgregors theorizing as theory xy. 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.
Employees can view work as being as natural as rest or play. Mcgregors theory x and theory y are theories about human behavior and motivation in the organization that was published in 1960 by douglas mcgregor. X and consider using the techniques suggested by theory y. A historical view of douglas mcgregors theory y emerald. Beyond this point, the two theories of management diverge. 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 and theory y are still referred to commonly in the field of management and motivation, and whilst more recent studies have questioned the rigidity of the model, mcgregors xy theory remains a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. Theory x and y created by mcgregor has been a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. 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. Mcgregors theory x and theory y are not in view of a solitary truth. People will exercise selfdirection and selfcontrol if they are committed to the objectives.
The idea behind using letters x and y, perhaps seems to be using a neutral terminology, which does not convey any sense of badness or goodness associated with these theories. The fair approach of theory y makes individuals feel good as a consequence of which they confer themselves wholeheartedly to the association. Introduced by douglas mcgregor, theory x and theory y talk about the diverging views that exist about how organizations function. Many theorists support that mcgregors theory considers the field of management from a new angle, indicating a strong influential value. Theory x management style generally get poor results compare with managers use theory y, which produces better performance and results, and allows people to grow and develop. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a lecturer at harvard university and became the first sloan fellows professor at mit. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human motivation. The two theories are sets of propositions and beliefs about human nature. 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. Theory x and theory y assumptions, merits and demerits. 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. Managers who use this approach trust their people to take ownership of their work and do it effectively by themselves. Given the drawbacks of theoryx, mcgregor developed an alternative theory of human behavior called theoryy.
Theory x vs theory y managers because employees have historically been given a flat exchange of time and energy for income, workplace incentives have often been rooted in a fear of loss of employment, in earning potential from extra productivity, or in acquiescing to managerial dominance for promotion. Under this theory, the employees are highly selfmotivated, and they need little encouragement from upper management to deliver quality results on a day to day basis. Alan chapman 200108 based on douglas mcgregors xy theory. Mcgregors ideas about theory x and theory y were first articulated in his. 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. His work showed that thoughts and beliefs might influence behavio. Jul 08, 2017 the points given below are substantial, so far as the difference between theory x and theory y is concerned. Clearly, a theory y approach sounds more appealing but, in fact, different members of one team might benefit from different management approaches, depending on the situation. Douglas mcgregor, through his wellknown theory x and theory y, drew a distinction between the assumptions about human motivation which underlie these two approaches, to this effect. He referred to these two perceptions as theory x and theory y.
They were created by douglas mcgregor while he was working at the mit. Nov 25, 2019 theory x and theory y of motivation theory x and theory y of motivation by mcgregors external motivation includes the forces which exist inside the individuals as well as the controlled by the manager, including items such as salaries, working conditions, company policy and job content items, such as recognition. Mcgregors theory x and theory y douglas mcgregors in his book the human side of enterprise published in 1960, explained two different kinds of theories or assumptions about human behavior. Essentially theory x and theory y describe two opposing views of people at work that will influence management style. In the 1960s, douglas murray mcgregor, a famous mit professor of management wrote a book named the human side of enterprise in which he analyzed the various behaviors of professionals at work. Theory x and theory y are still referred to regularly in the fields of management and motivation. Douglas mcgregor work is established in motivation theory. Critically evaluate mcgregors theroy x and theory y, sample. Mcgregors theories x and y introduction to business. Theory x directors and theory y managers frequently see their view of individuals affirmed. Mcgregors xy theory is a natural rule for managing people. Control, achievement and continuous improvement achieved by enabling, empowering and giving responsibility.
Application of theory x and y in classroom management by. They can only be made to get results at work by the application of. 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. Douglas mcgregor is the one who constructed theory x and y in the 1960s.
Theory x holds a negative traditional view of the workers while theory y holds a much refined and positive view of workers. 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. Pdf on nov 1, 2017, mohammad saiful islam and others published application of mcgregors theory x and theory y. 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. These managers assume that people dont enjoy work in fact, they would surely avoid doing it. A powtoon video highlighting the advantages of mcgregors theory x and y while highlighting the disadvantages of the other 3 theories. I knew instinctively that mcgregors assessment of the traditional view management, which he names theory x, was true because i had worked in x environments for years, trying to run y divisions. Ulterieurement, les besoins humains evoluant, les individus adoptent les comportements y.
Critically evaluate mcgregors theory x and theory y. The trick is to be aware of your assumptions and to adapt your management style, so that all members of your team can benefit. If you believe that your team members dislike their work and have little motivation, then, according to mcgregor, youll likely use an. Theory x holds a negative traditional view of the workers while theory y holds a much refined and.
He avoided descriptive labels and simply called the theories theory x and theory y. According to mcgregor, theory x seeks to promote engagement by directing, monitoring, and rewarding andor punishing the actions of employees, while theory y seeks to promote engagement by promoting worker satisfaction through greater job autonomy and freedom and less supervision carson, 2005. Theory x and theory y were first explained by mcgregor in his book, the. Theory x and theory y describe two very different attitudes toward workforce motivation. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles what is theory x and theory y. Theory x advanced the view that human beings have an innate dislike for work. Dogan unlucan mcgregor theories x and theory y student.
This article describes the theory x and theory y of douglas mcgregor. First, there has been a failure to distinguish between theory xy attitudes and theory xy behaviors. Critically evaluate mcgregors theroy x and theory y free. Aug 11, 2014 douglas mcgregor s theory x and theory y. 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 of motivation explain with examples. The points given below are substantial, so far as the difference between theory x and theory y is concerned. Theory y make assumptions that people in the work force. Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. Theory x and theory y team management training from. Perception of management toward the employees in the banking industry of. Aug 21, 2015 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. My boss asks me politely to do things, gives me reasons why, and invites my suggestions. 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 character of the manager or worker corresponding to the. Sep 26, 2016 a powtoon video highlighting the advantages of mcgregor s theory x and y while highlighting the disadvantages of the other 3 theories.
Douglas mcgregors theory x vs theory y lucidchart blog. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. Pdf douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise, changed the path of management thinking and practice by. How far is it applicable to management and employee motivation in contemporary chinese organizations. 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. Theory x and theory y are still referred to commonly in the field of management and motivation, and whilst more recent studies have questioned the rigidity of the model, mcgregor s x y theory remains a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management. Mcgregors ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people. Theory y is almost in complete contrast to that of theory x. According to mcgregor, the perception of managers on the nature of individuals. The average human being has an inherent dislike of work and will avoid it if they can.