McGregor: Theories X and Y
Drawing on Maslow ’ s theory, McGregor argued that management in industry was
guided by “ Theory X, ” which saw workers as passive and without motivation and
dictated that management must therefore direct and motivate them. Rejecting
the emphasis on specialization, task simplification, and hierarchical authority in the
scientific and administrative management movements, McGregor argued that management in industry must adopt new structures and procedures based on “ Theory
Y, ” which would take advantage of higher - order motives and workers ’ capacity for
self - motivation and self - direction. These new approaches would include such structures and procedures as job enrichment, management by objectives, participative decision making, and improved performance evaluations.