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. Theory x and theory y of management represent two fundamental approaches to employee engagement carson, 2005. 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. Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor in his book the human side of enterprise 1960. Pdf theory x and theory y type leadership behavior and its. It describes two contrasting sets of assumptions that managers make about their people. They can only be made to get results at work by the application of. Theory x holds a negative traditional view of the workers while theory y holds a much refined and. 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. Aug 05, 2019 theory x and theory y are considered as theories of human motivation at the workplace.
Mcgregors theory x and theory y are theories about human behavior and motivation in the organization that was published in 1960 by douglas mcgregor. Mcgregor himself held to the belief that theory y assumptions were more valid than theory x. Douglas mcgregor work is established in motivation theory. The outcomes of positive outlook at mankind in organizations let people participate in decisionmaking process, encouraging communication for improvement. Theory x and theory y assumptions, merits and demerits.
Mcgregor theory x and theory y for staff and employees motivation. This theory was developed by douglas mcgregor in 1950s at mit. Theory x and theory y published in the sage encyclopedia of management theories. However, he found that an organisation driven solely by theory y could not succeed, as some sense of direction and structure was required. He referred to these two perceptions as theory x and theory y. It is to mcgregors thorough research and curiosity in behavior and incentive that we owe our current understanding of theory x and theory y. However, modern revisions including contingency theorists argue that theory y is not essentially a progressive alternative to a dull theory x. The two theories are sets of propositions and beliefs about human nature. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous xy theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. The definitive guide stepbystep maslows hierarchy of needs.
The concept of theory x and theory y was developed by social psychologist douglas mcgregor. 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. 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. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management. 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.
Advantages of theory x and y the biggest advantage of using theory x. Essentially, theory x assumes that people work only for money and security. First, there has been a failure to distinguish between theory xy attitudes and theory xy behaviors. Theory x and y created by mcgregor has been a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. Douglas mcgregor then arrived at the conclusion that the style of leadership depends on the. Challenges and limitations of theory x and theory y motivation. In the 1960s, social psychologist douglas mcgregor developed two contrasting theories that explained how managers beliefs about what motivates their people. 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. Both of these theories begin with the premise that managements role is to. 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. According to mcgregor, the perception of managers on the nature of individuals. 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.
Pdf leadership style and organizational performance have been. According to mcgregor, theory x seeks to promote engagement by directing, monitoring. 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. He is best known for his theory x and theory y, which splits corporate thinking into two camps. He contributed much to the development of management and motivational theory. In 1957, an american social psychologist named douglas mcgregor proposed his famous theory x and theory y in his book titled the human side of en terprise mcgragor, 1960. What might be less immediately understandable are the differing effects of theory x and y on resulting behavior and productivity. Introduced by douglas mcgregor, theory x and theory y talk about the diverging views that exist about how organizations function. Kopelman professor of management baruch college david j.
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 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. X and consider using the techniques suggested by theory y. May 05, 2018 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. 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 of motivation explain with examples. Theory x people dislike work, have little ambition, and are unwilling to take responsibility. May 15, 2017 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 argued that these assumptions fall into two broad categories theory x and theory y. 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 avoided descriptive labels and simply called the theories theory x and theory y.
Mcgregors ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people. Theory x and theory y are still referred to regularly in the fields of management and motivation. He is best known for his development of the theory x and theory y, a leadership theory on two different leadership styles. May, 2016 many theorists support that mcgregors theory considers the field of management from a new angle, indicating a strong influential value.
His work showed that thoughts and beliefs might influence behavior. Theory x advanced the view that human beings have an innate dislike for work. Under theory x, management approaches can range from a hard approach to a soft approach. They are inadequate to realize all the human potentialities. So, in place of theory x mcgregor proposed a new theory broadly recognized as theory. Pdf application of mcgregors theory x and theory y. For those managers faced with the challenge of douglas mcgregors landmark book, the. Theory x and theory y team management training from.
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. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y shubhabrata bose iiswbm mbaday sec. Either theory x or theory y assumptions may be appropriate in a particular situation. Mcgregor holds the opinion that theory x assumptions about organisation, management, and man are obstacles to performance, and productivity. Theory x and theory y management applicationbusiness implications for workforce motivation. Mcgregor postulated 2 theories on human management and leadership which are theory x and theory y. They were created by douglas mcgregor while he was working at the mit. 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. 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. Davis colonel tooele army depot douglas mcgregor s landmark book, the human side of enterprise 1960, changed the path of management.
Pdf douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise, changed the path of management thinking and practice by. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y february 5, 2016 by umar farooq aside from maslows hierarchy of needs, there are so many other theories of needs that determine certain specific needs of an individual, which may offer a satisfaction associated with the work motivation. Nov 25, 2019 douglas mcgregors theory incorporates both internal and external motivation. Mcgregors 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, had a profound influence on education practices. Furthermore, there is a certain amount of confusion around the underlying principles of the theories. 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. Douglas mcgregor is the one who constructed theory x and y in the 1960s. Douglas mcgregor in his book, the human side of enterprise published in 1960 has examined theories on. Pdf theory x and theory y published in the sage encyclopedia. Advantages and disadvantages of theory x and y essay. There is no evidence to confirm that either set of assumptions is valid.
Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. Theory into practice abraham maslow viewed mcgregor as a mentor. In his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor proposed two theories by which to view employee motivation. Application of theory x and y in classroom management by. 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. 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. Dec 10, 2018 douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a famous management professor in the field of personal development and motivational theory. My boss asks me politely to do things, gives me reasons why, and invites my suggestions. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous x y theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. He referred to these opposing motivational methods as theory x and theory y management.
Douglas mcgregors theory x vs theory y lucidchart blog. 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. Mcgregors sets forth two alternative views of human nature first view are called theoryx and the second view is called theoryy. Critically evaluate mcgregors theroy x and theory y. 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.
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