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. This theory assumes that, people are not, by nature, lazy and unreliable. 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. His work is based upon maslows hierarchy of needs, where he grouped the hierarchy into lowerorder needs theory x and higherorder needs theory y. Douglas mcgregor put forward a theory of motivation, called as theory x and theory y. The xy theory diagram and measurement tool below pdf and doc versions are adaptations. One criticism of mcgregor s theory x is that it creates diseconomies of scale in large applications. Theory x and theory y are considered as theories of human motivation at the workplace. Read this article to learn about the mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation and its applicability. Mcgregors theories x and y introduction to business. It postulates that people can be basically self directed and creative at work, if. The theories concentrate on two various models of potential motivation that is implemented by the managers across human resources management, organizational communication.
Mcgregors ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people. Theory xy douglas mcgregor and theory z william ouichi. Thus, it is better for work teams to be all x or all y. The work of douglas mcgregor, the renowned social psychologist at mits sloan school of management who studied the theoretical foundations of human motivation in the 1960s, was premised on a binary conception of managerial perception known as theory x and theory y according to mcgregor, managers practicing theory x operate under the assumption. According to mcgregor, the perception of managers on the nature of individuals. He avoided descriptive labels and simply called the theories 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 theory x and theory y of motivation by mcgregor s 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. The idea that a managers attitude has an impact on employee motivation was originally proposed by douglas mcgregor. 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. Social psychologist mcgregor s theoryx and theory yof mit expounded two contrasting theories on human motivation and management in the 1960s.
According to theory y, when conditions are favorable, the individual finds work appealing and is highly motivated at need levels maslows hierarchy of needs. Thus, these labels describe contrasting set of assumptions about human nature. 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 theory x. It appeared at a time when the behavioral sciences were playing an increasing role in how managers thought about their work. Theory x advanced the view that human beings have an innate dislike for work.
Theory x and theory y published in the sage encyclopedia of management theories. Theory x and theory y pertain to employee motivation and have been used in human resource management, organizational behavior analysis, and organizational development. Mcgregor s x y theory is a natural rule for managing people. Douglas mcgregor in his book, the human side of enterprise published in. 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. X and y theory other bibliographies cite this for me. Motivation implies the act of stimulating or inspiring subordinates to pursue the desired course of action.
Mcgregors work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of abraham maslow. Mba 101 leadership, motivation mcgregor theory x and theory y. Theory x, theory y, and theory z introduction to business. Mcgregor s theory y matches much of maslows selfactualization level of motivation. Mcgregor s work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of abraham maslow, who created the hierarchy of needs.
In 1957, an american social psychologist named douglas mcgregor proposed his famous theory x and theory y in his. Perception of management toward the employees in the banking industry of. 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. 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. Theory x and theory y are still referred to commonly in the field of management and motivation, and. Theory x and theory y management oxford bibliographies. Based on the premises concerning human behaviour, prof. Given the fundamental changes in our understanding of personality and motivation theory and the dramatic changes in the economy, it is time to reevaluate mcgregor s theory. It is something that makes people act or behave in a particular manner. 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, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous x y theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. 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. It postulates that people can be basically self directed and creative at work, if properly motivated. A theory y manager will eventually figure out that a theory x worker believes people are unmotivated because the worker himself is unmotivated.
Mcgregors theoryx and theoryy what is human resource. Mc gregors theory x and theory y of motivation explained. Oct 21, 2017 mcgregor s theory of motivation presentation by anisur rehman theory x theory y marketing lecture series marketing lecture in hindi marketing lecture in hindienglish marketing lecture marketing. This article describes the theory x and theory y of douglas mcgregor. Theory x and theory y are theories of human motivation created and developed by douglas mcgregor at the mit sloan school of management in the 1960s. Either theory x or theory y assumptions may be appropriate in a particular situation. Theory x managers believe that their employees dont like to work, that they are lazy, have no ambition, like to be told what to do and are only in it for the money. Mcgregor s theory x and theory y are theories about human behavior and motivation in the organization that was published in 1960 by douglas mcgregor. 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. 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. Theory y workers were characterised by mcgregor as. As the classical theory of human behavior, theory x. Theory into practice abraham maslow viewed mcgregor as a mentor. Theory x and y were created and developed by douglas mcgregor at the mit sloan school of management in the 1960s 2.
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. Dec 22, 2017 mcgregor proposed that there were two types of managers. Douglas mcgregor has developed a theory of motivation of the basis of hypotheses relating to human behaviour. The management implications for theory x workers were that, to achieve organisational objectives, a business would need to impose a management system of coercion, control and punishment. Theory x was based on a number of key assumptions, the most important of which was that individuals instinctively didnt like work.
Many theorists support that mcgregor s theory considers the field of management from a new angle, indicating a strong influential value. Control, achievement and continuous improvement achieved by enabling, empowering and giving responsibility. 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. Pdf on nov 1, 2017, mohammad saiful islam and others published application of mcgregor s theory x and theory y. The foundation of theory y the work environment mcgregor s research occurred from the mid1930s until the mid1950s. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human. Mcgregor s ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people.
In it, he explained that managers operate from one or two basic assumptions about human bahaviour. Theory x says that the average human being is lazy and self. Mcgregor developed a philosophical view of humankind with his theory x and theory y in 1960. Nov 25, 2019 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. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a lecturer at harvard university and became the first sloan fellows professor at mit. Theory y theory y expounds a participative style of management that is decentralized. As such, it is these higherlevel needs through which employees can best be motivated. Douglas mcgregor is the one who constructed theory x and y in the 1960s. Mcgregors theory x and theory y are theories about human behavior and motivation in the organization that was published in 1960 by douglas mcgregor. There were two main parts to this framework, theory x and theory y. 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. Challenges and limitations of theory x and theory y. What are the criticism of mcgregors theory x and theory y.
Mcgregor postulated 2 theories on human management and leadership which are theory x and theory y. Theory x and theory y management applicationbusiness implications for workforce motivation. Workers are committed and can work independently without direction to achieve. Dogan unlucan mcgregor theories x and theory y student. The average person dislikes work and will avoid it if. A powtoon video highlighting the advantages of mcgregor s theory x and y while highlighting the disadvantages of the other 3 theories. Abstract what motivates you to do a great job when you go to work.
Theory y is difficult to put into practice on the shop floor in large mass production operations, but it can be used initially in the managing of managers and professionals. Theory x and y created by mcgregor has been a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. Mcgregor s six assumptions of theory y and his ideas of integrating individual and organization goals are congruent with the main planks in. And theory x theory y was based on mcgregor s book of 1960s called the human side of enterprise. His theory x and theory y was detailed in the human side of enterprise, published in 1960. This is an autocratic style of leadership based on the traditional theory of what workers are like and what management must do to motivate them. 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 of motivation by mcgregor douglas mcgregor expressed his views of human nature in two sets of assumptions. 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. Mcgregor s work made a significant impact on managerial thought. 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. Pdf application of mcgregors theory x and theory y.
Theory x and theory y were first introduced in the early work of douglas mcgregor. Application of theory x and y in classroom management by. Features of mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. 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. If you believe that your team members dislike their work and have little motivation, then, according to mcgregor, youll likely use an. Mcgregors theory x and theory y theory of motivation. In the human side of enterprise mcgregor shows how theory y affects the management of promotions and. 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. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles what is theory x and theory y. My boss asks me politely to do things, gives me reasons why, and invites my suggestions. 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. 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 x type organizations seemed to believe.
It was a period characterized by the work of maslow, likert, argyris. 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. This theory was developed by douglas mcgregor in 1950s at mit. Critically evaluate mcgregors theroy x and theory y free.
Theory y is positive, participating and democratic. 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. 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. He referred to these opposing motivational methods as theory x and theory y management. 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. Features of mcgregor s theory x and theory y of motivation. One criticism of mcgregor s theory y is that it may not be possible for the superior. Mcgregors xy theory is a natural rule for managing people. 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. 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. The two theories are sets of propositions and beliefs about human nature. Theory x and theory y team management training from. Consider effort at work as just like rest or play ordinary people who do not dislike work. He proposed, at opposite extremes two pairs of assumptions about human beings which.
Mcgregor x and y theory of motivation pdf theory x and theory y are still referred to commonly in the field of. Theory x and theory y of motivation explain with examples. Douglas mcgregor published the human side of enterprise in 1960. In his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, mcgregor proposed two theories by which managers perceive and address employee motivation. Social psychologist mcgregors theoryx and theoryyof mit expounded two contrasting theories on human motivation and management in the 1960s. Douglas mcgregor theory x theory y pdf files newlinedb.
Many theorists support that mcgregors theory considers the field of management from a new angle, indicating a strong influential value. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human motivation. Mcgregors theory x and theory y organizational behavior. According to mcgregor, the function of motivating people involves certain assumptions about human nature. His work showed that thoughts and beliefs might influence behavio. 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. Toward a constructvalid measure article pdf available in journal of managerial issues 202. Mcgregor sees these two theories as two quite separate attitudes. Introduced by douglas mcgregor, theory x and theory y talk about the diverging views that exist about how organizations function. The higherlevel needs of esteem and selfactualization are ongoing needs that, for most people, are never completely satisfied. Mcgregor theory x and theory y for staff and employees. 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. Herzbergs motivation hygiene two factor theory, 3 mcgregors x y theories, and 4 mcclel lands need for achievement theory.
X and consider using the techniques suggested by theory y. Douglas mcgregor work is established in motivation theory. Difference between theory x and theory y with comparison. The foundation of theory y the work environment mcgregors research occurred from the mid1930s until the mid1950s. Reward systems must correspond to intrinsic factors if employees are to be motivated. However, modern revisions including contingency theorists argue that theory y is not essentially a progressive alternative to a dull theory x. Mcgregor himself held to the belief that theory y assumptions were more valid than theory x. Given the fundamental changes in our understanding of personality and motivation theory and the dramatic changes in the economy, it is time to reevaluate mcgregors theory.
Theory x and y the first theory, the view traditionally held about employees, portrayed workers in organization as being lazy and needing to be coerced, controlled and directed. They can only be made to get results at work by the application of. 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. The theory x and theory y are the theories of motivation given by douglas mcgregor in 1960s. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. To mcgregor, a steady supply of motivation seemed more likely to occur under theory y management. Essentially theory x and theory y describe two opposing views of people at work that will influence management style. First, there has been a failure to distinguish between theory x y attitudes and theory x y behaviors. There are two alternative sets of assumptions which mcgregor has. Douglas mcgregor has developed two sets of assumptions about human behaviour. 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.
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 is negative, traditional and autocratic style while theory y is positive, participatory and democratic. Maslow states that people are motivated by unmet needs which are in a hierarchical order that prevents us from being motivated by. 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 has classified the basic assumption regarding human nature into two parts and has designated them as theory x, and theory y. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management. The three prior studies that have made this distinction were recently conducted solely to develop constructvalid measures of both. It is based on the assumption that selfdirection, selfcontrol, and maturity control 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, mcgregor s x y theory remains a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management. What are the important limitations of mcgregors theory x. Mcgregor proposed theory y assumptions about human nature as an alternative to theory x. First, there has been a failure to distinguish between theory xy attitudes and theory xy behaviors. They were created by douglas mcgregor while he was working at the mit. The theory x management style is based on a pessimistic view of human nature and assumes the following. There is no evidence to confirm that either set of assumptions is valid. Theory x and theory y are theories of human work motivation and management.
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