The Classical Management Theory is thought to have originated around the year 1900 and dominated management thinking into the 1920s, focusing on the efficiency of the work process. It has three schools of thinking: Scientific management, which looks at ‘the best way’ to do a job; Bureaucratic management, which focuses on rules and procedures, hierarchy and clear division of labour; and Administrative management, which emphasises the flow of information within the organisation. Show
Scientific Management Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915) is known as the father of scientific management. His approach emphasised empirical research to increase organisational productivity by increasing the efficiency of the production process. In the United …show more content…II. 2. Division of labour and specialisation of skills, where each employee will have the necessary expertise and authority to complete a particular task. III. 3. Complete and accurate rules and regulations, in writing, to govern all activities, decisions and situations. IV. 4. Impersonal relationships between managers and employees, with clear statements of the rights and duties of personnel. V. 5. Technical competence is the basis for all decisions regarding recruitment, selection and promotion. Weber’s model of bureaucratic management advanced the formation of huge corporations such as ford. Bureaucratic Management – Contributions • Ensured that the organisation would be operated and managed by qualified/high calibre personnel only. • Allowed many organisations to efficiently perform routine organisational tasks through job specialisation. • Allowed management and employees to be more objective in their judgement and approach due to rules and procedures for doing specific tasks being clearly set. • Placed emphasis on job position, specialised employees and job continuity thus providing the organisation with long-term perspectives and quality employees. • Surpassed the loss of any employee or even of any manager due to the nature of job specialisation. Hence in such a bureaucracy, anyone can be replaced. Bureaucratic Management - Limitations o Concepts surrounding recommended management strategies What are Management Theories?Management theories are concepts surrounding recommended management strategies, which may include tools such as frameworks and guidelines that can be implemented in modern organizations. Generally, professionals will not rely solely on one management theory alone, but instead, introduce several concepts from different management theories that best suit their workforce and company culture.  At a GlanceUntil the day that machines are able to think, talk, and experience emotions, humans will remain the most complicated beings to manage. Humans can never achieve the kind of error-free performance that machines provide. On the upside, there are tons of things that machines aren’t capable of doing, making humans indispensable assets. For such reason, proper management is one of the most crucial things for an organization. For a long time, theorists have been researching the most suitable forms of management for different work settings. This is where management theories come into play. Although some of these theories were developed centuries ago, they still provide stable frameworks for running businesses. Popular Management Theories1. Scientific Management TheoryAmerican mechanical engineer Frederick Taylor, who was one of the earliest management theorists, pioneered the scientific management theory. He and his associates were among the first individuals to study work performance scientifically. Taylor’s philosophy emphasized the fact that forcing people to work hard wasn’t the best way to optimize results. Instead, Taylor recommended simplifying tasks so as to increase productivity. The strategy was a bit different from how businesses were conducted beforehand. Initially, a factory executive enjoyed minimal, if any, contact with his employees. There was absolutely no way of standardizing workplace rules and the only motivation of the employees was job security. According to Taylor, money was the key incentive for working, which is why he developed the “fair day’s wages for a fair day’s work” concept. Since then, the scientific management theory has been practiced worldwide. The resulting collaboration between employees and employers evolved into the teamwork that people now enjoy. 2. Systems Management TheorySystems management offers an alternative approach to the planning and management of organizations. The systems management theory proposes that businesses, like the human body, consists of multiple components that work harmoniously so that the larger system can function optimally. According to the theory, the success of an organization depends on several key elements: synergy, interdependence, and interrelations between various subsystems. Employees are one of the most important components of a company. Other elements crucial to the success of a business are departments, workgroups, and business units. In practice, managers are required to evaluate patterns and events in their companies so as to determine the best management approach. This way, they are able to collaborate on different programs so that they can work as a collective whole rather than as isolated units. 3. Contingency Management TheoryThe main concept behind the contingency management theory is that no one management approach suits every organization. There are several external and internal factors that will ultimately affect the chosen management approach. The contingency theory identifies three variables that are likely to influence an organization’s structure: the size of an organization, technology being employed, and style of leadership. Fred Fiedler is the theorist behind the contingency management theory. Fiedler proposed that the traits of a leader were directly related to how effectively he led. According to Fiedler’s theory, there’s a set of leadership traits handy for every kind of situation. It means that a leader must be flexible enough to adapt to the changing environment. The contingency management theory can be summed up as follows:
4. Theory X and Theory YDo you believe that every individual gets maximum satisfaction from the work they do? Or are you of the opinion that some view work as a burden and only do it for the money? Such assumptions influence how an organization is run. The assumptions also form the basis of Theory X and Theory Y. Douglas McGregor is the theorist credited with developing these two contrasting concepts. More specifically, these theories refer to two management styles: the authoritarian (Theory X) and participative (Theory Y). In an organization where team members show little passion for their work, leaders are likely to employ the authoritarian style of management. But if employees demonstrate a willingness to learn and are enthusiastic about what they do, their leader is likely to use participative management. The management style that a manager adopts will influence just how well he can keep his team members motivated. Theory X holds a pessimistic view of employees in the sense that they cannot work in the absence of incentives. Theory Y, on the other hand, holds an optimistic opinion of employees. The latter theory proposes that employees and managers can achieve a collaborative and trust-based relationship. Still, there are a couple of instances where Theory X can be applied. For instance, large corporations that hire thousands of employees for routine work may find adopting this form of management ideal. Why Study Management Theories?1. Increasing ProductivityOne of the reasons why managers should be interested in learning management theories is because it helps in maximizing their productivity. Ideally, the theories teach leaders how to make the most of the human assets at their disposal. So, rather than purchase new equipment or invest in a new marketing strategy, business owners need to invest in their employees through training. It can be seen in Taylor’s scientific management theory. As mentioned earlier, Taylor proposed that the best way to boost workers’ productivity was by first observing their work processes and then creating the best policies. 2. Simplifying Decision MakingAnother area where management theories have proven to be useful is in the decision-making process. Max Weber proposed that hierarchical systems encourage informed decision-making. A report written by the Institute for Employment Studies suggests that flattening the hierarchy paves the way for local innovation while speeding up the decision-making process. Flattening out entails getting rid of job titles and senior positions so as to inspire a cohesive work environment. 3. Encouraging Staff ParticipationManagement theories developed in the 1900s, aimed at encouraging interpersonal relationships in the workplace. One such theory that encouraged a collaborative environment is the human relations approach. According to this theory, business owners needed to give their employees more power in making decisions. Key TakeawayThroughout history, companies have been putting different management theories into practice. Not only have they helped to increase productivity but they have also improved the quality of services. Although these management theories were developed ages ago, they help in creating interconnected work environments where employees and employers work hand-in-hand. Some of the most popular management theories that are applied nowadays are systems theory, contingency theory, Theory X and Theory Y, and the scientific management theory. Additional ResourcesThank you for reading CFI’s guide to management theories. To learn more and expand your career, explore the additional relevant resources below:
How is the classical management theory relevant today?While not typically used in today's workplaces, the classical management theory does have some strong points. They include: A clear structure for management, its functions and operations. The division of labor that can make tasks easier and more efficient to accomplish, which can enhance productivity.
What is the best theory of management that you can use?Take scientific management — best known as Taylorism — arguably the most enduring management theory of them all. It suggests that a manager's job is to increase efficiency in a production system.
Is classical approach to management still relevant to our modern times?Although the classical theory of management is not prevalent in the modern age, certain principles and branches of the classical theory still find use in today's organizations, especially Weber's principles of bureaucratic management.
What are the approaches of classical management theory?Learn about the three branches of classical approach: 1. Scientific Management 2. Administrative Management 3. Bureaucratic Management.
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