Is The Human Side Of Enterprise By Douglas Mcgregor's The Human Side Of Enterprise?

In “The Human Side of Enterprise” Douglas McGregor defines two different sets of

assumption about human nature and the way it influences the behavior of the individual;

especially how managers react towards their employees. McGregor illustrates a way to

effectively manage people through Theory X and Theory Y. McGregor proposed two types of

managers, one who had a negative view of their employee, which was known as Theory X, and

one assumed a positive view of their employees, which was known as Theory Y.

Theory X is a geared towards traditional approach where the manager role is to control

their employees. In this theory, managers assume the employees dislike their work and will avoid

doing it as much as possible. In turn employees do not want to take responsibility,

If employees focus their energy

to the lowest level, which is physiological, needs then it will be insufficient (McGregor

1957/2012:156).

In contrast, a new theory of manage was known as the Theory Y assumes that it is the

manager’s role to develop the employee by creating opportunities, releasing potential,

encouraging growth and proving guidance. Theory Y assumes that employees are participative in

which they will self-direct and self-control to achieve the organization 's goals and objectives.

Managers assume the best in their employees, which in turn drives the employees to want to

come to work. Employees are also full of potential through creativity and imagination and are

able to solve organizational problems (McGregor 1957/2012:156).

By using the scientific management, this is trying to steer away from giving jobs to

employees that do not utilize their capabilities. Management wants to move towards Theory Y

but management knows it will be difficult to change the attitudes. Employees and managers are

accustomed to being directed and controlled (McGregor 1957/2012: 157). The change will