X, Y And Z

Society is made up of saints and sinners, all trying to live together. Business too is pluralistic with situations of competition and conflict and career development with staff made up of both Theory X and Theory Y type people. Responsibility for recruitment and selection in workplaces rests on owners, directors and managers. It is incumbent on them to ensure that all involved perform to a certain standard. The standards will first have to be set to meet business aims and objectives. They have a duty and a moral obligation to meet those objectives. Incoming professionals and other workers will be met by a new culture. Socialisation and acclimatisation are necessary in this kind of new situation. It may also involve a programme of Theory Z and Kaizen techniques to realize the right kind of transformation. These are often successful and continuing professional development is good for those who work at those kind of competitive levels. On the shop floor, if there is one, it will more a case of golden rule management, motivation, team working, knowledge of results, recognition and credit, attitudes, fair and equitable treatment, feedback, using the right controls and incentives and getting the psychological contract right. These things are necessary to maintain some kind of quality of working life. It does not mean resorting to management styles that put production before people, deny workers rights, decent pay or working conditions. Desperate measures do not work in the long run. It may also send out a signal that competitiors can pick up on and use for their own advantage.