Final answer:
Douglas McGregor proposed the two different sets of worker assumptions, Theories X and Y, highlighting contrasting views on employee motivation and management styles. Theory X assumes employees are inherently lazy and require control, whereas Theory Y believes employees are naturally motivated and work better when they share in decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two different sets of worker assumptions, known as Theories X and Y, were proposed by Douglas McGregor. He introduced these concepts in his 1960 book "The Human Side of Enterprise." In his work, McGregor suggested that managers tend to subscribe to one of two sets of beliefs about worker behavior and motivation, which he termed Theory X and Theory Y.
Theory X is based on the assumption that people fundamentally dislike work and will avoid it if possible, requiring control and coercion to be productive. In contrast, Theory Y posits that people view work as natural and enjoy the responsibilities and challenges it provides, suggesting that under the right conditions, people will not only accept but also seek out responsibility.
The contrast between these theories is stark: where Theory X insists on strict supervision and a system of control, Theory Y encourages collaboration, trust, and a participatory approach to management. For instance, Toyota's practice of allowing line workers to stop production to address quality issues exemplifies Theory Y in action, highlighting workers' involvement in problem-solving and their intrinsic motivation to contribute to organizational success.