Which type of management theory would view employees as primarily motivated by pay?

The correct answer is based on the view presented by Theory X, which was developed by Douglas McGregor. This theory posits that managers who subscribe to this approach believe that employees are primarily motivated by monetary incentives and that they need direct supervision because they inherently dislike work. This perspective assumes that workers are not self-motivated and require external motivators, such as pay, to drive their performance and productivity.

The emphasis in Theory X is on a more traditional, authoritative management style, where managers do not expect employees to take initiative or be self-motivated. As a result, Theory X managers often implement strict controls and policies to ensure compliance and productivity, reflecting a more mechanistic approach to workforce management.

Meanwhile, other theories like Theory Y suggest that employees are intrinsically motivated and seek fulfillment in their work, the Human Relations Theory emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships in enhancing productivity, and Systems Theory looks at the organization as a whole, considering the interrelatedness of its various subsystems. Each of these theories offers different insights into employee motivation, contrasting sharply with the view expressed in Theory X.