
A Short History of the Search for Higher Productivity
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Simply put, McGregor’s studies revealed that managers
could be divided into two groups: Theory X managers, and
Theory Y managers. Theory X managers, he said, believe that
workers are lazy, avoid responsibility, and won’t produce
unless threatened and treated harshly. Under Theory X, the
productive force is rooted in management, not in the workers.
The other group described by McGregor was composed
of what he called Theory Y managers: men and women who
believe that people are capable of self-discipline and high
levels of productivity if they receive management support.
But there is ...