He is best known for his theory x and theory y, which splits corporate thinking into two camps. There are two alternative sets of assumptions which. Mcgregors 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, had a profound influence on education practices. X and consider using the techniques suggested by theory y. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human motivation. Features of mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. Furthermore, there is a certain amount of confusion around.
Mcgregor also sees theory y as conducive to participative problem solving. Abstract what motivates you to do a great job when you go to work. Kopelman professor of management baruch college david j. Theory x holds a negative traditional view of the workers while theory y holds a much refined and.
He also taught at the indian institute of management calcutta. They can only be made to get results at work by the application of. Theory x is useful where predictability, a lack of mistakes, monitoring and control are required, for example, in insurance companies. Mcgregor theory x and theory y for staff and employees. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management. He contributed much to the development of management and motivational theory. Prottas assistant professor of management adelphi university anne l.
So, in place of theory x mcgregor proposed a new theory broadly recognized as theory. 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. According to mcgregor, the function of motivating people involves certain assumptions about human nature. Theory y thrives on adaptability and change, for example, in the advertising industry. In his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, mcgregor proposed two theories by which managers perceive and address. 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. Douglas mcgregor has developed a theory of motivation of the basis of hypotheses relating to human behaviour. 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.
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. Difference between theory x and theory y with comparison. There is no question that theory x and theory y had an incredible impact on management thinking. 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.
However, he found that an organisation driven solely by theory y could not succeed, as some sense of direction and structure was required. Advantages and disadvantages of theory x and y essay. The purpose of this paper is to trace douglas mcgregors theory y thinking back from pre. These theories describe two contrasting models of workforce motivation in human resource. 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. The theory x and theory y are the theories of motivation given by douglas mcgregor in 1960s. Theory x and theory y team management training from. 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. Theory x stands for the set of traditional beliefs held, while theoryy stands for the set of beliefs based on researchers in behavioral science which are concerned with modern social views on the man.
Advantages of theory x and y the biggest advantage of using theory x. Theory x and theory y management oxford bibliographies. Mcgregor developed a philosophical view of humankind with his theory x and theory y in 1960. Although nearly 50 years have passed since mcgregors initial formulation of theory x and theory y, the substantive validity of his theorizing on the effects of individual differences in. My boss asks me politely to do things, gives me reasons why, and invites my suggestions. A historical view of douglas mcgregors theory y emerald. Douglas mcgregor has developed two sets of assumptions about human behaviour. 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.
What might be less immediately understandable are the differing effects of theory x and y on resulting behavior and productivity. The negative view he called theory x and the positive view he called theory y. Theory x and theory y assumptions, merits and demerits. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. Introduced by douglas mcgregor, theory x and theory y talk about the diverging views that exist about how organizations function. Theory x and theory y are considered as theories of human motivation at the workplace. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y shubhabrata bose iiswbm mbaday sec. Mcgregor holds the opinion that theory x assumptions about organisation, management, and man are obstacles to performance, and productivity. 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. However, modern revisions including contingency theorists argue that theory y is not essentially a progressive alternative to a dull theory x.
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. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous xy theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. This article describes the theory x and theory y of douglas mcgregor. It is to mcgregors thorough research and curiosity in behavior and incentive that we owe our current understanding of theory x and theory y.
Pdf application of mcgregors theory x and theory y. 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. The two theories are sets of propositions and beliefs about human nature. Douglas mcgregor theory x theory y pdf download oikos. It is something that makes people act or behave in a particular manner. 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. Learn how douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y can help you think about team member motivation. 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. Theory x and theory y of management represent two fundamental approaches to employee engagement carson, 2005. The idea behind using letters x and y, perhaps seems to be using a neutral terminology, which does not convey any sense of badness. 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. Douglas mcgregor work is established in motivation theory. 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. Mcgregors ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people.
His 1960 book the human side of enterprise had a profound influence on education practices popo is a raafat of abraham maslow. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles what is theory x and theory y. Read this article to learn about mcgregors theory of x and theory y. 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. 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. Douglas mcgregor put forward a theory of motivation, called as theory x and theory y. Explanation of fourteen points of management by edward. Managers who use this approach trust their people to take ownership of their work and do it effectively by themselves. This theory was developed by douglas mcgregor in 1950s at mit. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management style and fulfillment of psychological contract. Introduction theory x and theory y are theories of human motivation created and developed by douglas mcgregor in the 1960s. 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.
Douglas mcgregor is the one who constructed theory x and y in the 1960s. 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. His work showed that thoughts and beliefs might influence behavio. He referred to these opposing motivational methods as theory x and. Davis colonel tooele army depot douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise 1960, changed the path of management.
The major distinct disadvantage of theory x and theory y is that they are put forward as challenging sets of assumptions a supervisor is either motivated by theory x or by theory y. Theory into practice abraham maslow viewed mcgregor as a mentor. Many managers will find that theory y is the most difficult management approach to adopt. Mcgregor postulated 2 theories on human management and leadership which are theory x and theory y. Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor in his book.
It is part of the managers job to exercise authority, and there are cases in which this is the only method of achieving the. According to mcgregor, the perception of managers on the nature of individuals. Theory x is a conventional approach to motivation, based on negative assumptions. According to mcgregor, theory x seeks to promote engagement by directing, monitoring. 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. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a famous management professor in the field of personal development and motivational theory. Douglas murray mcgregor 1906 1 october 1964 was a management professor at the mit sloan school of management and president of antioch college from 1948 to 1954. Douglas mcgregors theory x vs theory y lucidchart blog. Mcgregors six assumptions of theory y and his ideas of integrating individual and organization goals are congruent with the main planks in. Challenges and limitations of theory x and theory y. Based on the premises concerning human behaviour, prof.
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