He contributed much to the development of management and motivational theory. 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. Theory x and theory y team management training from. 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. This was followed in 1960 by the human side of enterprise, a book in which he presents a more comprehensive description of theory x and y and provides a number of theory y management practices mcgregor 1960. He is best known for his development of the theory x and theory y, a leadership theory on two different leadership styles.
Difference between theory x and theory y compare the. Mcgregor stressed that theory y management does not imply a. Mcgregors sets forth two alternative views of human nature first view are called theoryx and the second view is called theoryy. Mcgregors theories x and y introduction to business openstax. Mcgregor holds the opinion that theory x assumptions about organisation, management, and man are obstacles to performance, and productivity. 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. 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. 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. Both mcgregors theory x and theory y still play a part in modern management of organisations but in my opinion those that are consistent with the assumptions of theory y should be more predominant than theory x as they have much better adaptive qualities that will. The original book, the human side of enterprise, by douglas mcgregor, was written in 1960, and is still relevant today.
If you believe that your team members dislike their work and have little motivation, then, according to mcgregor, youll likely use an. Theory x and y created by mcgregor has been a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. 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. Theory x and theory y management oxford bibliographies.
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. This bibliography was generated on cite this for me on thursday, november 26, 2015. 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. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous xy theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y of motivation. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y introduction. The average person dislikes work and will avoid it if. Douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise, changed the path of management. The human side of enterprise by douglas mcgregor 1960. The human side of enterprise is different as it could have been written yesterday except for the somewhat oldfashioned language. Theory x and theory y by douglas mcgregor morningcow. Mcgregor developed two theories of human behaviour at work. The classical organizational approach that mcgregor associated with theory x.
Either theory x or theory y assumptions may be appropriate in a particular situation. 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. Implications of theory x and theory y on management. 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.
So, in place of theory x mcgregor proposed a new theory broadly recognized as theory. It is important to note that these sets of assumptions were not based on. Abstract mcgregor, douglas 1960 douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous theory x and y models in his book the human side of enterprise 1960. 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. How are mcgregors theories x and y and ouchis theory z used to explain worker motivation. The theory x management style is based on a pessimistic view of human nature and assumes the following. He has contributed much to the development of the management and motivational theory, and is best known for his theory x and theory y as presented in his book the human side of enterprise 1960, which proposed that managers individual assumptions about human nature and behaviour determined how. It encapsulated a fundamental distinction between management styles and has formed the basis for much subsequent writing on the subject. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management. However, he found that an organisation driven solely by theory y could not succeed, as some sense of direction and structure was required. Jun 30, 2010 mcgregors theory x and theory y gives managers a new understanding of how different leadership methods has an effect on the productivity of employees. My boss asks me politely to do things, gives me reasons why, and invites my suggestions. These are the sources and citations used to research x and y theory.
Implications of theory x and theory y on management practice according to mcgregor, the theory x type of management, which originated in a roman catholic church and military institution with its centralized decision making and external control work, is based on the assumption about human being. Mcgregor stressed that theory y management does not imply a soft approach. According to mcgregor, the perception of managers on the nature of. Mcgregor himself held to the belief that theory y assumptions were more valid than theory x. 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.
Dec 10, 2018 douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a famous management professor in the field of personal development and motivational theory. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a famous management professor in the field of personal development and motivational theory. Mcgregors theories x and y introduction to business. The definitive guide stepbystep maslows hierarchy of needs. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human. Each assumes that the managers role is to organize resources, including people, to best benefit the company. Synopsis this is mcgregors timeless principles and influential thinking now updated for a new generation of managers.
Pdf douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise, changed the path of management thinking and practice by. First published in 1960, the human side of enterprise has become a worldwide management bible. He avoided descriptive labels and simply called the theories theory x and theory y. X and consider using the techniques suggested by theory y. Theory y assumes that people want to be fulfilled in their work, and that by addressing that need, people would naturally increase productivity. Theoryx and theoryy management applicationbusiness implications for workforce motivation. The first set of assumptions is contained in theory x and the second set of assumptions in theory y. It encapsulated a fundamental distinction between management styles. Douglas mcgregors landmark book, the human side of enterprise. Mcgregors theory x and theory y are theories about human behavior and motivation in the organization that was published in 1960 by douglas mcgregor. Theory x and theory y are still referred to regularly in the fields of management and motivation.
He referred to these opposing motivational methods as theory x and theory y management. Mcgregors 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, had a profound influence on education practices. Both mcgregors theory x and theory y still play a part in modern management of organisations but in my opinion those that are consistent with the assumptions of theory y should be more predominant than theory x as they have much better adaptive qualities that will help them to change with the environment. Theory x and theory y published in the sage encyclopedia of management theories.
Theory 5 mcgregors x and y theory use to identify which stereotypical type of manager you are closest to and consider how this impacts on your actions and how you selection from the little book of big management theories, 2nd edition book. Theory x and theory y were part of mcgregors philosophy of. May 02, 2017 theory x and theory y were introduced in 1960 by douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist in his book the human side of enterprise. This was followed in 1960 by the human side of enterprise, a book in which.
Theory x and theory y of motivation explain with examples. Mcgregors theory x and theory y organizational behavior. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles. 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. Mcgregors work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of abraham maslow, who created the hierarchy of needs. Rather, he saw the two theories as two extremes with a whole spectrum of possible behaviours in between. Theory x was about assuming that your workforce did not want to work, and approaching them with a carrot and stick. 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. Many years ago a professor named mcgregor dubbed these perspectives. Douglas mcgregor is the one who constructed theory x and y in the 1960s. Instead, maslow advocated an improved version of theory y which involved an element of structured security and direction taken from. They are inadequate to realize all the human potentialities.
Mcgregor outlined two basic approaches, theory x and theory y. Theory xy remains central to organizational development, and to. I wish this book was obsolete and that the world has moved more to theory y management assumptions, but unfortunately much theory x practices still rule the workplace, especially in larger corporations. Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor see article in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise.
His major writings are cited along with two volumes which were actually published several years after his death by bennis, caroline mcgregor, and schein. 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. This article describes the theory x and theory y of douglas mcgregor. Theory x and theory y management applicationbusiness implications for workforce motivation. 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. Theory x and theory y were part of mcgregor s philosophy of management, which represented a fundamental change in management thought and practice. Theory x and theory y are not opposites and neither is one completely better than the other one.
This is one of the most famous motivational theories in management. In his 1960 management book, the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor made his mark on the history of. In mcgregor 1957b, he further develops his thinking in terms of theory x and theory y as it relates to performance appraisal. There is no evidence to confirm that either set of assumptions is valid.
Theory x and theory y news newspapers books scholar. Mcgregor recognized that some people may not have reached the level of maturity assumed by theory y and may initially need tighter controls that can be relaxed as the employee develops. 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. He did not imply that workers would be one type or the other. Theory x and theory y were first explained by mcgregor in his book, the. According to mcgregor, theory x seeks to promote engagement by directing, monitoring, and rewarding andor punishing the actions of employees, while theory y seeks to promote engagement by. He is best known for his theory x and theory y, which splits corporate thinking into two camps. 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. This article and video will explore mcgregors theory further, and well look at how it. 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. Mcgregors work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles what is theory x and theory y.
The two theories are sets of propositions and beliefs about human nature. Theories x, y and various versions of z have been used in human resource management, organizational behavior, organizational communication and organizational development. Theory x and theory y are theories of human work motivation and management. His work showed that thoughts and beliefs might influence behavio. In his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, mcgregor proposed two theories by which managers perceive and address employee motivation. 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. 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.
Pdf theory x and theory y published in the sage encyclopedia. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human motivation. 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 into practice abraham maslow viewed mcgregor as a mentor. Side of enterprise, advanced one of the most impor.
Managers generally have one of two perspectives regarding their employees. Introduced by douglas mcgregor, theory x and theory y talk about the diverging views that exist about how organizations function. In combination, both approaches are referred to as theory xy. Theory z is a name for various theories of human motivation built on douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y. Mcgregors six assumptions of theory y and his ideas of integrating individual and organization. The theory x and theory y are the theories of motivation given by douglas mcgregor in 1960s.
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