Management Perspectives

The management perspective is useful in making daily decisions and setting business strategy. Management focuses on the delegation of tasks and juggling resources, including money, supplies and personnel. It can also be viewed as how to get managers and supervisors to facilitate employee performance.



McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y

Theory X

· Work is inherently distasteful to most people, and they will attempt to avoid work whenever possible.

· Most people are not ambitious, have little desire for responsibility, and prefer to be directed.

· Most people have little aptitude for creativity in solving organizational problems.

· Most people are gullible and unintelligent.

Essentially, Theory X assumes that the primary source of employee motivation is monetary, with security as a strong second. Under Theory X, one can take a hard or soft approach to getting results.

Theory Y

· Work can be as natural as play if the conditions are favorable.

· People will be committed to their quality and productivity objectives.

· The capacity for creativity spreads throughout organizations.

· Under these conditions, people will seek responsibility.

Under these assumptions, there is an opportunity to align personal goals with organizational goals by using the employee’s own need for fulfillment as the motivator. McGregor stressed that Theory Y management does not imply a soft approach.