Implications of theory x and theory y on management practice. Theory x and theory y were part of mcgregors philosophy of management, which. Hereafter, we refer to mcgregors theorizing as theory xy. The human side of enterprise is the work that first presented theory x and theory y. X and theory y was developed by social psychologist douglas mcgregor. 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. Aug 31, 2015 in his book the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor proposed 2 contrasting theories on employee motivation. Motivation theory x and theory y free management books. Implications of theory x and theory y on management. 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. Douglas mcgregor is one of the most influential management thinkers of all time. The first part introduces the concepts of theory x and theory y. In his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, mcgregor proposed two theories by which managers perceive and address employee motivation.
He was a founding faculty member of mits sloan school of management and served as president of antioch college. He was a social psychologist who became the president of antioch college. To mcgregor, a steady supply of motivation seemed more likely to occur under theory y management. This article describes the theory x and theory y of douglas mcgregor. Both of these theories begin with the premise that managements role is to assemble the factors of. He is best known for his development of the theory x and theory y, a leadership theory on two different leadership styles. Mcgregors theory x and theory y introduction to business reading. Both of these are assumptions of human nature that lie behind certain management practices.
Douglas mcgregors revolutionary theory y which contends that individuals. In his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor proposed two theories by which to view employee motivation. 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. He contributed much to the development of management and motivational theory. Mcgregors 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, had a profound influence on education practices. In his 1960 management book, the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor made his mark on the history of organizational management when he proposed the two motivational theories by which managers perceive employee motivation. Douglas mcgregor is a social psychologist and applied two sets of assumptions to the organizational structure called theory x and theory y.
Douglas mcgregor on theory x and theory y gary tremolada. Dislike work and will avoid if they potential can, need to be controlled and or threaten before they will actually work hard, dont want any responsibility. In his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, mcgregor proposed two theories by which managers perceive and address. Nov 30, 2016 douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a famous management professor in the field of personal development and motivational theory. If you believe that your team members dislike their work and have little motivation, then, according to mcgregor, youll likely use an. He later became a professor of management at massachusetts institute of technology he was succeeded by warren bennis.
He referred to these opposing motivational methods as theory x and. Theory x and theory y management oxford bibliographies. 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. Douglas mcgregor management gurus theory x and theory y.
In the book the human side of enterprise, mcgregor identified an approach of creating an environment within which employees are motivated via authoritative direction and control or integration and selfcontrol, which he called theory x and theory y, respectively. His 1960 book the human side of enterprise focused on theory x and theory y approaches to leadership. 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. Douglas mcgregor then arrived at the conclusion that the style of leadership depends on the.
Theory x holds a negative traditional view of the workers while theory y holds a much refined and positive view of workers. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human motivation. The original book, the human side of enterprise, by douglas mcgregor, was written in 1960, and is still relevant today. Theory x and theory y team management training from. Douglas mcgregors conceptualization of theory x and theory y has influenced management practices for almost six decades, despite the relative paucity of empirical support. 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.
Mcgregors theory x and theory y are theories about human behavior and motivation in the organization that was published in 1960 by douglas mcgregor. The human side of enterprise consists of 3 parts and is in total about 250 pages. 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. They are also not extremes on a continuum they are mutually exclusive. He avoided descriptive labels and simply called the theories theory x and theory y. Theory x and theory y to pick the best management style.
Mar 01, 2019 theory x and theory y are management theories about two different type of manager style, and motivation in the organization that was published by douglas mcgregor in his book, the human side of enterprise in 1960s. Toward a constructvalid measure article pdf available in journal of managerial issues 202. 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. A typical theory y manager is democratic, peopleoriented, approachable, openminded, and secure. 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. Theory x and theory y are theories of human work motivation and management. Side of enterprise, advanced one of the most impor. In 1960, douglas mcgregor developed a leadership theory mcgregor theory x and theory y about organization and management in which he. Feb 16, 2006 first published in 1960, the human side of enterprise has become a worldwide management bible. His theory x and theory y was detailed in the human side of enterprise, published in 1960. The average person dislikes work and will avoid it if.
Mcgregor s work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of abraham maslow, who created the hierarchy of needs. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y introduction. While almost every manager has heard of theory y as contrasted to theory x, almost no manager knows. It appeared at a time when the behavioral sciences were playing an increasing role in how managers thought about their work. 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. Mcgregor promoted theory y as the basis of good management approach, and this break new ground for argument that employees of an organization are not merely cogs in the machinery of. 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. Douglas mcgregor created two distinct assumptions about the employee. As you would expect, theory y sees motivation in the opposite manner of theory x. Theory into practice abraham maslow viewed mcgregor as a mentor.
Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. His theory x described the dominant thinking of the 1950s, where managers held a dim view of employees, who were assumed to be disinclined to work and had to be coerced. His theory is based on managerial views of human beings. And, just like your algebra class, x and y dont work totally independently, although you can manage in a style that is mostly a theory x or theory y management style. The definitive guide stepbystep maslows hierarchy of needs. These theories are based on the premise that management has to assemble all the factors of production, including human beings, to get the work done. Developed in the 1960s by douglas mcgregor in his book, the human side of enterprise, theory x and theory y allocate the job of management into two styles. Nov 25, 2019 douglas mcgregors theory incorporates both internal and external motivation. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a famous management professor in the field of personal development and motivational theory.
Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor see article in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. 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. Pdf douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise, changed the path of management thinking and practice by. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a lecturer at harvard university and became the first sloan fellows professor at mit.
Synopsis this is mcgregors timeless principles and influential thinking now updated for a new generation of managers. The theory x management style is based on a pessimistic view of human nature and assumes the following. His theory y approach is at the core of virtually all of todays leading management and workplace models. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles what is theory x and theory y. Theory x, theory y by douglas mcgregor is a motivation theory. 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. A historical view of douglas mcgregors theory y emerald. Hereafter, we refer to mcgregor s theorizing as theory x y. It encapsulated a fundamental distinction between management styles. Theory x and theory y of motivation explain with examples. He referred to these two perceptions as theory x and theory y. X and consider using the techniques suggested by theory y.
Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous xy theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. His 1967 book the professional manager built upon the ideas presented in his first book, along with providing. Mcgregors work made a significant impact on managerial thought. Mcgregors sets forth two alternative views of human nature first view are called theoryx and the second view is called theoryy. Theory x and theory y assumptions, merits and demerits. The higherlevel needs of esteem and selfactualization are ongoing needs that, for most people, are never completely satisfied. The theory x and theory y are the theories of motivation given by douglas mcgregor in 1960s. In the 1960s douglas mcgregor a social psychologist of mit developed two well known contrasting theories on human motivation and management theory x and theory y. Essentially theory x and theory y describe two opposing views of people at work that will influence management style.
Douglas mcgregors in his book the human side of enterprise published in 1960, explained two different kinds of theories or assumptions about human behavior. 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. These have been represented by theory x and theory y. Mcgregor theory x and theory y for staff and employees. Theory y is almost in complete contrast to that of theory x. Mcgregors work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of abraham maslow, who created the hierarchy of needs. It was a period characterized by the work of maslow, likert, argyris. He referred to these opposing motivational theories as theory x and theory y. This was followed in 1960 by the human side of enterprise, a book in which he. He is best known for his development of the theory x and theory y, a leadership theory on two different leadership styles biography douglas mcgregor. Theory x and theory y are management theories about two different type of manager style, and motivation in the organization that was published by douglas mcgregor in his book, the human side of enterprise in 1960s. Douglas mcgregor s revolutionary theory y which contends that individuals are selfmotivated and selfdirected influenced major management gurus such as peter drucker and warren bennis.
The purpose of this paper is to trace douglas mcgregors theory y thinking back from pre. 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. 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. Unfortunately its not the management book most read. Theory x and theory y by douglas mcgregor morningcow. Mcgregors theory x and theory y organizational behavior. In his 1960 management book, the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor made his mark on the history of. 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.
It brought out the discussion on how best to treat the workforce to increase productivity. Theory x and theory y were first introduced in the early work of douglas mcgregor. Mcgregors research focused on managerial leadership and the ways in which employees are affected by the management styles of their superiors. As such, it is these higherlevel needs through which employees can best be motivated. Furthermore, there is a certain amount of confusion around. Douglas mcgregor is perhaps one of the most interesting theorists in my opinion because he chose to approach management from two different perspectives. 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. Douglas mcgregor has presented two opposite sets of assumptions about employees. In this episode, we examine douglas mcgregors most famous work, the human side of enterprise, that proposed two theories encapsulating management assumptions about human behavior. First published in 1960, the human side of enterprise has become a worldwide management bible. Theory x and theory y were first explained by mcgregor in his book, the human. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 is one of the forefathers of management theory and one of the top business thinkers of all time.
He is best known for his theory x and theory y, which splits corporate thinking into two camps. Furthermore, there is a certain amount of confusion around the underlying principles of the theories. Mcgregors theories x and y introduction to business. 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.
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. According to mcgregor, the perception of managers on the nature of. In his book, the human side of enterprise, he outlined a new role for managers. They were created by douglas mcgregor while he was working at the mit. Both of these theories begin with the premise that managements role is to. Pdf theory x and theory y published in the sage encyclopedia. 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.
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