Gerard is a mid-level manager who believes that people do not like to work and try to avoid it. He therefore controls, directs, coerces, and threatens employees to get them to work toward organizational goals. Which of the following theories would best explain Gerard actions? a. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theoryb. McGregor's Theory Yc. McGregor's Theory Xd. Systems Theory

The correct answer is c. McGregor's Theory X.

Explanation:

Theory X is defined by Douglas McGregor in his 1960s book "The Human Side of Enterprise" as an authoritarian style of management. In the book, McGregor explains that styles of management are greatly influenced by how the manager views people. Theory X is based on the view that workers are inherently lazy and unmotivated, prefer to be directed, do not like to take responsibility and dislike to work in general. In this style of management, it is assumed that the only way to push employees to work is to provide them with incentives or punishments, according to their performance. Also, authority is centralized on a select few and employees are strictly controlled and supervised.

In this particular case, Gerard fits the Theory X style of management, as he coerces and threatens employees to push them to do their jobs. He has the belief that people don't like to work and avoid it.