Apply It 12.4: Managers’ Attitudes and Motivation

  • Understand the difference between Theory X, Theory Y, and Theory Z managers
  • Understand how managers’ attitudes affect worker motivation

Management Philosophy

This Apply It continues using the return to in-office work case study video from earlier in this module. The video is included below in case you want to refresh your memory about specific details, but if you have already watched it, you don’t need to watch it again.

The video highlights how management approaches to remote work vary significantly, with some companies imposing strict return-to-office mandates while others adopt more flexible models.

You can view the transcript for “Why Corporate America Is Abandoning Remote Work” here (opens in new window).

The video states that firms imposing three-day, in-office mandates create “a big trust issue.” Compare how Theory X, Y, and Z managers might approach the question of remote work differently based on their assumptions about employees.