Theory X and Y: Difference between revisions

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'''Theory X and Y''' are two concepts about employees' motivation in the workplace. They were first introduced by a social phycologist, Douglas McGregor, in late 1960's. In his book, called, "The Human Side of Enterprise", McGregor talks about two approaches to management: authoritarian, which refers to Theory X, and participative, in the case of Theory Y.
'''Theory X and Y''' are two concepts about employees' motivation in the workplace. They were first introduced by a social phycologist, Douglas McGregor, in late 1960's. In his book, called, "The Human Side of Enterprise", McGregor talks about two approaches to management: authoritarian, which refers to Theory X, and participative, in the case of Theory Y.
'''Theory X and Y''' are two concepts about employees' motivation in the workplace. They were first introduced by a social phycologist, Douglas McGregor, in late 1960's. In his book, called, "The Human Side of Enterprise", McGregor talks about two approaches to management: authoritarian, which refers to Theory X, and participative, in the case of Theory Y.
== Theory X ==
== Theory X ==
In Theory X employees are perceived to be uninterested to their job and have a negative attitude towards responsibility or initiative.  
In Theory X an average employee is perceived to be uninterested to his or her job and have a negative attitude towards responsibility or initiative.  


'''Main assumptions of Theory X'''
'''Main assumptions of Theory X'''
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* Security, specifically in their job, is the priority for people.
* Security, specifically in their job, is the priority for people.
* Employees lack ambition and need materialistic incentives, rewards to stay involved in work.
* Employees lack ambition and need materialistic incentives, rewards to stay involved in work.
When describing Theory X in his book McGregor makes a connection to Maslow's famous hierarchy of needs. In the case of this theory employees have lower-level needs, which can be fulfilled with monetary benefits. In addition to this, McGregor insists that once a certain need is satisfied, the motivation behind it disappears. Therefore, this form of motivation in the workplace is not the most effective or long-lasting, since people would need constant incentives to stay committed to their job.

Revision as of 13:02, 22 November 2020

Theory X and Y are two concepts about employees' motivation in the workplace. They were first introduced by a social phycologist, Douglas McGregor, in late 1960's. In his book, called, "The Human Side of Enterprise", McGregor talks about two approaches to management: authoritarian, which refers to Theory X, and participative, in the case of Theory Y.

Theory X

In Theory X an average employee is perceived to be uninterested to his or her job and have a negative attitude towards responsibility or initiative.

Main assumptions of Theory X

  • People do not enjoy their job and try to avoid it if there is a possibility.
  • Employees need continuous guidance from their supervisors.
  • Managers have to warn people with punishments in order to make them do the necessary work.
  • Employees do not take initiative in their tasks.
  • Responsibility is highly avoided.
  • People are opposed to any kind of change and try to resist it for as long as possible.
  • Security, specifically in their job, is the priority for people.
  • Employees lack ambition and need materialistic incentives, rewards to stay involved in work.

When describing Theory X in his book McGregor makes a connection to Maslow's famous hierarchy of needs. In the case of this theory employees have lower-level needs, which can be fulfilled with monetary benefits. In addition to this, McGregor insists that once a certain need is satisfied, the motivation behind it disappears. Therefore, this form of motivation in the workplace is not the most effective or long-lasting, since people would need constant incentives to stay committed to their job.