Social psychologist douglas mcgregor of mit expounded two contrasting theories on human motivation and management in the 1960s. 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. Jim was a fellow manager at hanover insurance, and we often reflected on the diseases produced by the prevailing hierarchical management practices of that time. 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. First, there has been a failure to distinguish between theory xy attitudes and theory xy behaviors. Douglas mcgregor expressed his views of human nature in two sets of assumptions. May 05, 2018 douglas mcgregors in his book the human side of enterprise published in 1960, explained two different kinds of theories or assumptions about human behavior. Copyright 2017, scholarly research journal for interdisciplinary. 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. 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. 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. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous theory x and y in his book the human side of enterprise in 1960. Aug 21, 2015 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. It describes two contrasting sets of assumptions that managers make about their people.
Theory xy douglas mcgregor and theory z william ouichi theory x an authoritarian style of management the average worker dislikes work. He was particularly interested in what motivates people to work hard, in particular on what belief systems motivate people to work hard. Many theorists support that mcgregors theory considers the field of management from a new angle, indicating a strong influential value. 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. They were created by douglas mcgregor while he was working at the mit. 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. Challenges and limitations of theory x and theory y motivation. Douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y shubhabrata bose iiswbm mbaday sec. The human side of enterprise in the book the human side of enterprise, mcgregor identified an approach of creating an environment within which employees are motivated via authoritative direction and control or integration and selfcontrol, which he called theory x and theory y, respectively. Jan 01, 2019 it is mcgregors conclusion, of course, that the latter approach to organization is the more desirable one for managers to follow. He is best known for his development of the theory x and theory y, a leadership theory on two different leadership styles.
Douglas mcgregors theory x vs theory y lucidchart blog. Douglas mcgregor put forward a theory of motivation. 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. Both theories rest on the assumption that management is required to coordinate all aspects of the value delivery process to be productive. Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor in his. Thus, all workers dislike work, try to avoid work, are born inherently lazy, must be constantly dominated into doing a honest. Mcgregor s ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people. Theory x is based on the assumption that the average person has an inherent dislike of work physical and mental effort, does not want responsibility, and lacks ambition.
Learn how douglas mcgregors theory x and theory y can help you think about team member motivation. Toward a constructvalid measure article pdf available in journal of managerial issues 202. Challenges and limitations of theory x and theory y. 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. Mcgregor theory x and theory y for staff and employees motivation. Fortythree years ago, douglas mcgregors the human side of enterprise offered managers a new assumption of management theory y, which would be. Mcgregor theory x and theory y for staff and employees. Importantly, different types of employees are motivated by. Douglas mcgregor theory x theory y pdf download oikos.
His work showed that thoughts and beliefs might influence behavio. Introduced by douglas mcgregor, theory x and theory y talk about the diverging views that exist about how organizations function. Theory x and y were created and developed by douglas mcgregor in the 1960s. Theory x and theory y assumptions, merits and demerits. Mcgregor developed a philosophical view of humankind with his theory x and theory y in 1960. It was a period characterized by the work of maslow, likert, argyris. Abstract what motivates you to do a great job when you go to work. He referred to these two perceptions as theory x and theory y. The three prior studies that have made this distinction were recently conducted solely to develop constructvalid measures of both. Douglas mcgregor was a professor at massachusetts institute of technology, where he was a vocal advocate of the human relations approach. This theory was developed by douglas mcgregor in 1950s at mit. Introduction douglas mcgregor 19061964 followed a mostly academic career lecturing at harvard university, massachusetts institute of technology mit and antioch college, becoming the first sloan fellows professor at mit.
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. Application of theory x and y in classroom management by. Furthermore, there is a certain amount of confusion around the underlying principles of the theories. 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. Jika manajemennya yakin bahwa sebagian dari karyawannya tidak menyukai pekerjaannya, maka gaya manajemen akan cenderung ke gaya manajemen otoriter. Teori x dan teori y menurut douglas mcgregor gaya manajemen suatu perusahaan sangat dipengaruhi oleh keyakinan dan asumsi manajemennya terhadap apa yang merupakan dorongan kerja karyawannya. The relationship between mcgregors xy theory management style and fulfillment of psychological contract. The negative view he called theory x and the positive view he called theory y. 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 proposed two models of trust that formed the basis of two different managerial approaches, one based on a positive view of subordinates and one based on a negative view. Mcgregor argued that these assumptions fall into two broad categories theory x and theory y. After reading you will understand the background and the practical basics of these leadership styles what is theory x and theory y.
Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor in his 1960 book the human. Theory x and theory y are theories of human work motivation and management. Douglas mcgregor s conceptualization of theory x and theory y has influenced management practices for almost six decades, despite the relative paucity of empirical support. Introduction theory x and theory y are theories of human motivation created and developed by douglas mcgregor in the 1960s. Douglas mcgregor then arrived at the conclusion that the style of leadership depends on the. Therefore, managers must direct employees, control them through close supervision, and coerce. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous xy theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. 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. While in high school, mcgregor worked as night clerk at the mcgregor institute, a family affair originally established by his grandfather, but managed by his father and his uncle to provide temporary accommodation for around 100 transient workers at a time.
Essentially theory x and theory y describe two opposing views of people at work that will influence management style. Hereafter, we refer to mcgregors theorizing as theory xy. Theory x says that the average human being is lazy and selfcentred, lacks ambition, dislikes change, and longs to be told what to do. 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. Theory x and theory y of motivation explain with examples. Mcgregors sets forth two alternative views of human nature first view are called theoryx and the second view is called theoryy. Nov 25, 2019 douglas mcgregors theory incorporates both internal and external motivation. 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. It appeared at a time when the behavioral sciences were playing an increasing role in how managers thought about their work. This article describes the theory x and theory y of douglas mcgregor. Hereafter, we refer to mcgregor s theorizing as theory x y. He avoided descriptive labels and simply called the theories theory x and theory y. Douglas mcgregor is the one who constructed theory x and y in the 1960s. Douglas murray mcgregor 1906 1 october 1964 was a management professor at the mit sloan school of management and president of antioch college from 1948 to 1954.
His work is based upon maslows hierarchy of needs, where he grouped the hierarchy into lowerorder needs theory x and higherorder needs theory y. Theory x and theory y management oxford bibliographies. 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. A historical view of douglas mcgregors theory y emerald. My boss asks me politely to do things, gives me reasons why, and invites my suggestions. Thinker 026 introduction douglas mcgregor 19061964 followed a mostly academic career lecturing at harvard university, massachusetts institute of technology mit and antioch college, becoming the first sloan fellows professor at mit. Mcgregor s work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of abraham maslow, who created the hierarchy of needs.
In his 1960 book, the human side of enterprise, douglas mcgregor proposed two theories by which to view employee motivation. Mcgregor promoted theory y as the basis of good management practice, pioneering the argument that workers are not merely cogs in the. Douglas mcgregor theory x theory y pdf programpals. 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 of motivation. Theory x holds a negative traditional view of the workers while theory y holds a much refined and positive view of workers. The purpose of this paper is to trace douglas mcgregors theory y thinking back from pre. Theory x and theory y were first introduced in the early work of douglas mcgregor. Theory x management style generally get poor results compare with managers use. It is mcgregors conclusion, of course, that the latter approach to organization is the more desirable one for managers to follow. Theory x vs theory y managers because employees have historically been given a flat exchange of time and energy for income, workplace incentives have often been rooted in a fear of loss of employment, in earning potential from extra productivity, or in acquiescing to managerial dominance for promotion. Douglas mcgregor, an american social psychologist, proposed his famous x y theory in his 1960 book the human side of enterprise. 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.
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 and theory y team management training from. 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. The definitive guide stepbystep maslows hierarchy of needs. Theory x suggests that individuals have an instilled dislike for work and try to avoid it. 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. Theory x and theory y are considered as theories of human motivation at the workplace. Management theorist douglas mcgregor coined these terms to describe two fundamentally different approaches to managing people. Therefore most people must be motivated by forcedbribed with the threat of punishment or a reward to produce effort and work towards organizational objectives.
However, modern revisions including contingency theorists argue that theory y is not essentially a progressive alternative to a dull theory x. Theory x and theory y, introduced in the book and are known for management and human motivation. In his book the human side of enterprise 1960, douglas mcgregor studied behavior patterns of individuals in the workplace, and formulated the x and y theory. Theory xy douglas mcgregor and theory z william ouichi. 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. Mcgregors ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to managing people. His theory x and theory y was detailed in the human side of enterprise, published in 1960. Teori x dan teori y menurut douglas mcgregor ilmu manajemen. Theory y maintains that human beings are active rather than passive shapers of. His 1960 book the human side of enterprise had a profound influence on education practices mcgregor was a student of abraham maslow.
Critically evaluate mcgregors theroy x and theory y free. According to mcgregor, the perception of managers on the nature of. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a lecturer at harvard university and became the first sloan fellows professor at mit. Theory x people dislike work, have little ambition, and are unwilling to take responsibility. In the 1960s, social psychologist douglas mcgregor developed two contrasting theories that explained how managers beliefs about what motivates their people. Theory x and y created by mcgregor has been a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. Theory x and theory y of motivation the business professor. Ten important differences between theory x and theory y are discussed in this article. Theory x and theory y were proposed by management theorist douglas mcgregor. Douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a famous management professor in the field of personal development and motivational theory. As part of this theory, managers must be able to motivate employees.
Both of these theories begin with the premise that managements role is to assemble the factors of production, including people. Mcgregors ideas about theory x and theory y were first articulated in his article. Nov 30, 2016 douglas mcgregor 1906 1964 was a famous management professor in the field of personal development and motivational theory. The two theories are sets of propositions and beliefs about human nature. Douglas mcgregors work builds on the work of other behavioral scientists who showed a link between human behavior, motivation, and productivity. Mcgregors theory x and theory y are theories about human behavior and motivation in the organization that was published in 1960 by douglas mcgregor. Mcgregors work made a significant impact on managerial thought. Theory x and theory y was an idea devised by douglas mcgregor in his book. 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. Douglas mcgregors conceptualization of theory x and theory y has influenced management practices for almost six decades, despite the relative paucity of empirical support.