Editing Theory X and Theory Y

{{Short description|Theories of human motivation}}
[[File:McgregorXY-languages (cropped).svg|thumb|[[Mnemonic]] device for the two theories: a person refusing to work ("X") and a person cheering the opportunity to work ("Y")]]
'''Theory X and Theory Y''' are theories of human [[work motivation]] and 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://iwer.mit.edu/about/iwer-pioneers/douglas-m-mcgregor/|title=Douglas M. McGregor {{!}}|website=iwer.mit.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-11}}</ref> McGregor's work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of [[Abraham Maslow]], who created the [[hierarchy of needs]]. The two theories proposed by McGregor describe contrasting models of workforce [[motivation]] applied by managers in [[human resource management]], [[organizational behavior]], [[organizational communication]] and [[organizational development]]. Theory X explains the importance of heightened supervision, external rewards, and penalties, while Theory Y highlights the motivating role of [[job satisfaction]] and encourages workers to approach tasks without direct [[supervision]]. Management use of Theory X and Theory Y can affect employee motivation and productivity in different ways, and managers may choose to implement strategies from both theories into their practices.<ref name=":52">{{Cite news|url=https://hbr.org/1970/05/beyond-theory-y|title=Beyond Theory Y|date=1970-05-01|work=Harvard Business Review|access-date=2018-04-12}}</ref>

== McGregor and Maslow ==
McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y and [[Maslow's hierarchy of needs]] are both rooted in [[motivation]] theory.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last=Maslow|first=A. H.|title=A theory of human motivation.|journal=Psychological Review|volume=50|issue=4|pages=370–396|doi=10.1037/h0054346|year=1943|citeseerx=10.1.1.334.7586}}</ref> Maslow's hierarchy of needs consists of physiological needs (lowest level), safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and [[self-actualization]] (highest level).<ref name=":12" /> According to Maslow, a human is motivated by the level they have not yet reached, and self-actualization cannot be met until each of the lower levels has been fulfilled.<ref name=":23">{{Cite journal|last=Carson|first=Charles|date=Spring 2018|title=A historical view of Douglas McGregor's Theory Y|journal=Management Decision|volume=43 |issue=3|pages=450–460|doi=10.1108/00251740510589814}}</ref> Assumptions of Theory Y, in relation to Maslow's hierarchy put an emphasis on employee higher level needs, such as esteem needs and self-actualization.<ref name=":23" />

McGregor also believed that self-actualization was the highest level of reward for employees.<ref name=":23" /> He theorized that the motivation employees use to reach self-actualization allows them to reach their full potential.<ref name=":23" /> This led companies to focus on how their employees were motivated, managed, and led, creating a Theory Y management style which focuses on the drive for individual self-fulfillment.<ref name=":23" /> McGregor's perspective places the responsibility for performance on managers as well as subordinates.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Nonprofit Management: Principles and Management|last=Worth|first=Michael|publisher=SAGE|year=2019|isbn=978-1-5063-9686-6|location=United States of America|pages=248}}</ref>

== Theory X ==

Theory X is based on negative assumptions regarding the typical worker. This management style assumes that the typical worker has little ambition, avoids responsibility, and is individual-goal oriented. In general, Theory X style managers believe their employees are less intelligent, lazier, and work solely for a sustainable income. Management believes employees' work is based on their own self-interest.<ref name=":32">{{Cite journal|last=Fischer|first=Elizabeth|date=October 1, 2009|title=Motivation and Leadership in Social Work Management: A Review of Theories and Related Studies|journal=Administration in Social Work|pages=356}}</ref> Managers who believe employees operate in this manner are more likely to use [[Transactional leadership|rewards or punishments]] as motivation.<ref name=":32" /> Due to these assumptions, Theory X concludes the typical [[workforce]] operates more [[Efficiency (economics)|efficient]]ly under a hands-on approach to management.  Theory X managers believe all actions should be traceable to the individual responsible. This allows the individual to receive either a direct reward or a reprimand, depending on the outcome's positive or negative nature. This [[managerial style]] is more effective when used in a workforce that is not essentially motivated to perform.

According to McGregor, there are two opposing approaches to implementing Theory X: the hard approach and the soft approach.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/mcgregor/|title=Theory X and Theory Y|last=NetMBA.com|website=www.netmba.com|access-date=2018-04-12}}</ref> The hard approach depends on close supervision, intimidation, and immediate punishment.<ref name=":42">{{Cite journal|last=Hattangadi|first=Vidya|date=December 2015|title=Theory X & Theory Y|url=https://www.ijrra.net/Vol2issue4/IJRRA-02-04-06.pdf|journal=International Journal of Recent Research Aspects|volume=2|pages=20–21}}</ref> This approach can potentially yield a hostile, minimally cooperative workforce and resentment towards management.<ref name=":32" /> Managers are always looking for mistakes from employees, because they do not trust their work.<ref name=":32" /> Theory X is a "we versus they" approach, meaning it is the management versus the employees.<ref name=":32" />

The soft approach is characterized by leniency and less strict rules in hopes for creating high [[Employee morale|workplace morale]] and cooperative employees.<ref name=":02" /> Implementing a system that is too soft could result in an entitled, low-output workforce.<ref name=":02" /> McGregor believes both ends of the spectrum are too extreme for efficient real-world application. Instead, McGregor feels that an approach located in the middle would be the most effective implementation of Theory X.<ref name=":02" />

Because managers and supervisors are in almost complete control of the work, this produces a more systematic and uniform product or work flow. Theory X can benefit a work place that utilizes an assembly line or manual labor. Using this theory in these types of work conditions allows employees to specialize in particular work areas which in turn allows the company to mass-produce a higher quantity and [[product quality|quality of work]].

== Theory Y ==
Theory Y is based on positive assumptions regarding the typical worker. Theory Y managers assume employees are [[intrinsic motivation|internally motivated]], enjoy their job, and work to better themselves without a direct reward in return. These managers view their employees as one of the most valuable assets to the company, driving the internal workings of the corporation. Employees additionally tend to take full [[Duty|responsibility]] for their work and do not need close [[supervision]] to create a quality product.<ref name=":52" /> It is important to note, however, that before an employee carries out their task, they must first obtain the manager's approval. This ensures work stays efficient, productive, and in-line with company standards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-11|title=Theory X and Theory Y, Douglas McGregor|url=https://educationlibrary.org/theory-x-and-theory-y-douglas-mcgregor/|access-date=2021-10-11|website=Education Library|language=en-US}}</ref>

Theory Y managers gravitate towards relating to the worker on a more personal level, as opposed to a more conductive and teaching-based relationship.<ref name=":42" /> As a result, Theory Y followers may have a better relationship with their boss, creating a healthier atmosphere in the workplace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://upperbay.org/DO%20NOT%20TOUCH%20-%20WEBSITE/articles/employee%20management.pdf|title=Employee Management: Are You X or Are You Y}}</ref> In comparison to Theory X, Theory Y incorporates a pseudo-democratic environment to the workforce.<ref name=":23" /> This allows the employee to design, construct, and publish their work in a timely manner in co-ordinance to their workload and projects.

Although Theory Y encompasses creativity and discussion, it does have limitations. While there is a more personal and individualistic feel, this leaves room for error in terms of consistency and uniformity.<ref name=":23" /> The workplace lacks unvarying rules and practices, which could potentially be detrimental to the quality standards of the product and strict guidelines of a given company.

== Theory Z ==
{{Main|Theory Z}}
Humanistic psychologist [[Abraham Maslow]], upon whose work McGregor drew for Theories X and Y,
went on to propose his own model of workplace motivation, [[Theory Z]]. Unlike Theories X and Y, Theory Z recognizes a transcendent dimension to work and worker motivation. An optimal managerial style would help cultivate worker creativity, insight, meaning and moral excellence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://maslow.org/sub/theoryz.php|title=Theory Z|last=Maslow|first=Abraham|date=2009|website=maslow.org|access-date=2018-10-23}}</ref>

== Choosing a management style ==
For McGregor, Theory X and Theory Y are not opposite ends of the same continuum, but rather two different continua in themselves. In order to achieve the most efficient production, a combination of both theories may be appropriate.<ref name=":42" /> This approach is derived from Fred Fiedler's research over various leadership styles known as the [[contingency theory]]. This theory states that managers evaluate the workplace and choose their leadership style based upon both internal and external conditions presented. Managers who choose the Theory X approach have an authoritarian style of management. An organization with this style of management is made up of several levels of supervisors and managers who actively intervene and micromanage the employees. On the contrary, managers who choose the Theory Y approach have a hands-off style of management. An organization with this style of management encourages participation and values individuals' thoughts and goals. However, because there is no optimal way for a manager to choose between adopting either Theory X or Theory Y, it is likely that a manager will need to adopt both approaches depending on the evolving circumstances and levels of internal and external locus of control throughout the workplace.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Avolio|first=Bruce J.|title=Promoting more integrative strategies for leadership theory-building.|journal=American Psychologist|language=en|volume=62|issue=1|pages=25–33|doi=10.1037/0003-066x.62.1.25|pmid=17209677|year=2007|citeseerx=10.1.1.467.7223}}</ref>

== Military command and control ==
Theory X and Theory Y also have implications in military [[command and control]] (C2).  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.  On the other hand, more modern, network-centric, and decentralized concepts of C2, that rely on individual initiative and self-synchronization, tend to arise more from a "Theory Y" philosophy.<ref>Vassiliou, Marius, David S. Alberts, and Jonathan R. Agre (2015). "C2 Re-Envisioned: the Future of the Enterprise." CRC Press; New York; pp. 98–99.</ref> [[Mission Command]], for example, is a command philosophy to which many modern military establishments aspire, and which involves individual judgment and action within the overall framework of the commander's intent.  Its assumptions about the value of individual initiative make it more a Theory-Y than a Theory X philosophy.<ref>Vassiliou, Marius, and David S. Alberts (2017). "Mission Command and Agile C2." Proc. 22nd International Command and Control Research and technology Symposium (ICCRTS).</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Outline of management]]
* [[Scientific management]]
* [[Type A and Type B personality theory]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregorxytheorydiagram.pdf A diagram representing Theory X and Theory Y], Alan Chapman, 2002.
* [https://lh3.ggpht.com/-UhditA3kxYo/UC1n1FXEZbI/AAAAAAAAATA/WThKKSRVuCg/s640/theoryxy.png Another diagram representing Theory X and Theory Y]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Theory X And Theory Y}}
[[Category:Organizational behavior]]
[[Category:Motivational theories]]
[[Category:Human resource management]]