Question

Upper management of a clothing store in the mall has decided that a good way to motivate employees is to consult with them about ways to bring in more customers. A memo is sent to store managers asking them to encourage participation from all employees. One store manager has hired five new employees who just graduated from high school and are working the three summer months before leaving for college. The manager scrutinizes and directs them in every detail of their job. Each time they make a mistake they are reprimanded, told their pay may be docked, and reminded that there are always other people who will gladly take their place. This manager decides he will forward his suggestions to management but not ask his workers for suggestions. What approach is upper management using, as opposed to the store manager?

Answer 1

Answer:

Consider the following analysis.

Explanation:

The manager's assumption is that the employee work only for their own benefits and they need immediate punishment for poor work, intermediation, and minute-level supervision. This proves that he uses Theory X.

The upper management, on the other hand, is trying to initiate consultation with the employees before bringing out any improvement plan in the business process. This type of management style implicitly assumes that the employees are motivated and self-directed. This is Theory Y.

So, the first option should be correct.

Equity theory is something not contextual here. Equity theory works on the reduction of perceived inequality in the input and output of the employees as a means of motivation.