1. Contradiction & the Carnival: A study of McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y framework applied to communication within a carnival setting By: Ashley Johnston

2. Beginnings… Why the carnival? State of the industry Need for communication Preliminary Interviews Three carnival executives (CEs) Interviews eliciting narratives Findings Communicated to employees with Theory X Thought of employees with Theory Y

3. Current Study Research Question 1 – How do CEs communicate to and think of employees? Hypothesis 1 – CEs will think of employee in Theory Y paradigm Hypothesis 2 – CEs will communicate to employees in Theory X paradigm Research Question 2 – Is the corporate culture similar to Theory X or Theory Y? Hypothesis 3 – Corporate culture will reflect Theory X traits

4. Literature Review Carnival Theory X and Theory Y Organizational culture Narratives

5. Carnival Academic research One master’s thesis Negative portrayal of industry Current state of industry Declining Promising future History Tough Surviving Hard working employees Proud business

6. Theory X and Theory Y Theorist - Douglas McGregor Sprung from human relations movement Predict human behavior Two paradigms Theory X Theory Y

7. Theory X and Theory Y Theory X employee Dislikes work or avoids work Forced or coerced to work Prefers to be directed and told what to do when completing tasks Theory Y employee Enjoys work - natural Dedicated to task Wants to achieve Looks for responsibility Creative in problem solving Will rise to the occasion

8. Other Theory X and Y Factors Motivation Should be internal Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy Principles Control through power – Theory X Integration of employee – Theory Y Critical Views Theories do not tell how to change Theory Y must be applied and implemented

9. Theory X and Y Communication Any action is communication Verbal Nonverbal actions Employees act as management desires Ethics Anti-social, unethical – Theory X Esteem – Theory Y Emotions Fear – Theory X Hope – Theory Y

10. Organizational Culture Why study Understand what is acceptable in organization Employees make sense of organization Performances Rituals Passion Sociality Politics Enculturation

11. Narratives Stories Information solicitation Meaningful Understand people Organizations How the organization constructs reality Part of a whole Express values

12. Methodology Justification Sample size 15 CEs Nationwide 13 male, 2 female Interviews 7 to 90 minutes in length

13. Questions How would you describe your typical carnival employee? How do you correct employees? How do you have employees complete tasks? Describe the workplace atmosphere? Do you feel employees generally dislike or like work? How do you feel about employee feedback? Do you include your employees in decision making? Do you feel your employees enjoy their work? Do you think your employees need to be forced into working?

14. Results Research Question 1 – How do CEs communicate to and think of employees? Hypothesis 1 – CEs will think of employee in Theory Y paradigm - SUPPORTED Hypothesis 2 – CEs will communicate to employees in Theory X paradigm – NOT SUPPORTED Research Question 2 – Is the corporate culture similar to Theory X or Theory Y? Hypothesis 3 – Corporate culture will reflect Theory X traits – NOT SUPPORTED Theory Y paradigm for all

15. Findings Theory Y paradigm for all aspects Communication toward employee Thoughts of employee Corporate Culture Theory X aspects Safety issues Government regulation Past vs. Present employees Shift in industry Metaphors

16. Future Research CE’s perspective of self Pre and post survey Self preservation Gender differences Mid-management and employee interviews Observation on carnivals Additional management styles Carnival size Foreign labor Comparison from other industries Comparison from other countries History of carnival