They can only be made to get results at work by the application of. There is no evidence to confirm that either set of assumptions is valid. Mcgregor argued that theory y controlling does not indicate a soft approach. 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. Either theory x or theory y assumptions may be appropriate in a particular situation. Pdf douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise, changed the path of management thinking and practice by. Learn about theory x and theory y proposed by mcgregor in 1960s and understand what management styles they encourage respectively. Theory y workers were characterised by mcgregor as. Theory x emphasizes authoritarian style of leadership where results are the focus of leadership and it is more workcentered than peoplecentered. 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 assumes that most people prefer to be directed, are not interested in assuming responsibility and want safety above all. Many have categorized theory x as an autocratic type of leadership and theory y as democratic style. This theory leads to a conclusion of authoritarian management where employees need to be actively directed in their tasks and require significant supervision. In this article, we are going to talk about the major differences between theory x and theory y.
Theory x advanced the view that human beings have an innate dislike for work. Develop a foundational understanding of leadership. Introduction theory x and y was developed by douglas mcgregor, a social psychologist in 1960. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous theory x and y in his book the human side of enterprise in 1960. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles what is theory x and theory y. This paper argues that theory y managers are the effective leaders who could fulfill the psychological contract of employees.
In 1960, douglas mcgregor developed a leadership theory mcgregor theory x and theory y about organization and management in which he. It then discusses another way of categorizing leadership styles, based on the leadership grid, and explores the view that a leader needs to use different styles in different situations. Identifying that some people may not have gotten the level of development assumed by theory y, mcgregor submits that those employees may require a structure of harder controls that a manager can ease as each employee progresses. Professor douglas mcgregor highlighted that there is a significant relationship between motivation and leadership among people. 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. Leadership style and organizational performance have been researched extensively. Application of theory x and y in classroom management by. Employees are also encouraged to develop expertise and make suggestions and improvements. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles. Theory x gives importance to supervision, while theory y stresses on rewards and recognition. You may, however, find that you naturally favor one over the other. Understand the ways in which wouldbe leaders assume the role of leader. 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 can benefit a work place that utilizes an assembly line or manual.
Theory x and theory y team management training from. Explain the implications of theory x, theory y, and theory z for employee management 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. The author responds to a widespread misinterpretation of theory x and y and presents the position that mcgregors work is, in fact, a contingency approach to management and leadership. Mcgregor postulated 2 theories on human management and leadership which are theory x and theory y. Understand the contrast between the two theories or completely different styles of management and learn how you can apply this in your organizational context. Many theorists support that mcgregors theory considers the field of management from a new angle, indicating a strong influential value. 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 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. Mcgregors ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people. The next section of the chapter is devoted to an account of the characteristics that a. Technofunc mcgregors leadership theory x and theory y.
Theory into practice abraham maslow viewed mcgregor as a mentor. Theory x assumes that employees are naturally motivated and dislike working 20. In his theory about management attitudes at two opposite poles mcgregors theory x and theory y, he never intended to indicate that x was bad and y good, nor that any leader should find a spot between the two and set up camp. Douglas mcgregor, a behavior management theorist who was heavily influenced by both abraham maslow and. Identify and understand the several sources of power in the context of sport. Rob hyronsdollar photo club leadership styles are determined by the ways in which a leader perceives those under him and the assumptions he holds about human behavior. 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 at work. Training at all levels is a necessity, not optional. Our article on transformational leadership can also give you tips on how to inspire and motivate your people. Theory y assumes that higherorder needs to dominate individuals. Theory x and theory y also have implications in military command and control c2. Leadership theories gregory kane chapter objectives develop an appreciation for the breadth and depth of leadership theory. System theory, institutional theory, discourse analysis, social identity theory, etc. He referred to these opposing motivational methods as theory x and theory y.
He referred to these two perceptions as theory x and theory y. Difference between theory x and theory y with comparison. Critically evaluate mcgregors theroy x and theory y. In 1957, an american social psychologist named douglas mcgregor proposed his famous theory x and theory y in his. Douglas mcgregor postulated two theories on human management and leadership. Theory x and theory y are part of motivational theories. Theory x managers assume that workers are lazy, will avoid responsibility, and. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management.
Mba 101 leadership, motivation mcgregor theory x and theory y. Theory x and theory y management oxford bibliographies. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human motivation. However, commentators and practitioners have often misinterpreted his ideas to assume exactly that. Small business owner s in the sishane lighting and ch andelierb. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. Douglas mcgregor is the one who constructed theory x and y in the 1960s. Mcgregor himself held to the belief that theory y assumptions were more valid than theory x. The x y theory questionnaire page 1 of 2 indicates whether the situation and management style is the x or y style.
International journal of strategic decision sciences ijsds, 33, 23. Make employees feel secure enough to express ideas and ask questions. Most managers will likely use a mixture of theory x and theory y. Theory x and theory y are descriptions of two extreme managerial styles. However, the literature has a limited number of studies concerning organizational performance of small and medium businesses, even less research on the impact on organizational performance of theory x and theory y type leadership styles. Theory x and theory y represents a dichotomous view of leadership worker relations. Theory x and y created by mcgregor has been a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. Both the theories, which are very different from each other, are used by managers to motivate their employees. 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. In this video we are going to be looking at douglas mcgregor theory x and theory y managers.
This theory states that managers evaluate the workplace and choose their leadership style based upon both internal and external conditions presented. Consider effort at work as just like rest or play ordinary people who do not dislike work. Douglas mcgregor work is established in motivation theory. Pdf theory x and theory y type leadership behavior and its. 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. Having set the stage by explaining mcgregors theories, the next discussion takes us to the various leadership styles examined in the context of his theory x and theory y. 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. It is important to note that both theory x and theory y are based on the argument that there are specific approaches to managing. Differences between theory x and theory y difference between. He summarized the findings of the hawthorn experiment by introducing both theory x and theory y. In theory y, the work tends to be organized around wider areas of skill or knowledge. Theory x says that the average human being is lazy and self.
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. Theory x and theory y are theories of human work motivation and management. Theory x and theory y to pick the best management style. This article describes the theory x and theory y of douglas mcgregor. Rewards theory x organizations work on a carrot and stick basis, and performance is part of the overall mechanisms of control. Douglas mcgregors work builds on the work of other behavioral scientists who showed a link between human behavior, motivation, and productivity. 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. Theory x and y were created and developed by douglas mcgregor at the mit sloan school of management in the 1960s 2. Pdf application of mcgregors theory x and theory y. 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 assumes that there is a centralization of authority and very tight control over the employees, but theory y says that the authority should be decentralized and that should be leniency in control. Douglas mcgregor then arrived at the conclusion that the style of leadership depends on the manager s perception of people. The author sets forth a model of how theory y relates to managerial style and behavior. These labels describe contrasting set of assumptions about human nature.
49 1263 315 1259 778 281 35 975 514 18 700 405 449 322 398 1283 483 1248 966 716 1156 642 168 38 878 1234 158 1084 762 984 1217 1382 1249 1075 781 1331 198 849 100 14 1235 149 1293 589 1045