EVOLUTION OF MANAGEMENT THOUGHT
EVOLUTION OF MANAGEMENT THOUGHT
The practice of management is as old as human civilization. The ancient civilizations of
Egypt (the great pyramids), Greece (leadership and war tactics of Alexander the great) and
Rome displayed the marvelous results of good management practices.
The origin of management as a discipline was developed in the late 19th century. Over
time, management thinkers have sought ways to organize and classify the voluminous
information about management that has been collected and disseminated. These attempts at
classification have resulted in the identification of management approaches.
The approaches of management are theoretical frameworks for the study of management. Each of the approaches of management are based on somewhat different assumptions about human beings and the
organizations for which they work.
The different approaches of management are:
a) Classical approach,
b) Behavioral approach,
c) Quantitative approach,
d) Systems approach,
e) Contingency approach.
The formal study of management is largely a twentieth-century phenomenon, and to some
degree the relatively large number of management approaches reflects a lack of consensus
among management scholars about basic questions of theory and practice.
a) THE CLASSICAL APPROACH:
The classical approach is the oldest formal approach of management thought. Its roots pre-date
the twentieth century. The classical approach of thought generally concerns ways to manage
work and organizations more efficiently. Three areas of study that can be grouped under the
classical approach are scientific management, administrative management, and bureaucratic
management.
(i) Scientific Management.
Frederick Winslow Taylor is known as the father of scientific management. Scientific
management (also called Taylorism or the Taylor system) is a theory of management that
analyzes and synthesizes workflows, with the objective of improving labor productivity. In other
words, Traditional rules of thumb are replaced by precise procedures developed after careful
study of an individual at work.
(ii) Administrative Management.
Administrative management focuses on the management process and principles of
management. In contrast to scientific management, which deals largely with jobs and work at
the individual level of analysis, administrative management provides a more general theory of
management. Henri Fayol is the major contributor to this approach of management thought.
(iii) Bureaucratic Management.
Bureaucratic management focuses on the ideal form of organization. Max Weber was
the major contributor to bureaucratic management. Based on observation, Weber concluded
that many early organizations were inefficiently managed, with decisions based on personal
relationships and loyalty. He proposed that a form of organization, called a bureaucracy,
characterized by division of labor, hierarchy, formalized rules, impersonality, and the selection
and promotion of employees based on ability, would lead to more efficient management. Weber
also contended that managers' authority in an organization should be based not on tradition or
charisma but on the position held by managers in the organizational hierarchy.
b) THE BEHAVIORAL APPROACH:
The behavioral approach of management thought developed, in part, because of
perceived weaknesses in the assumptions of the classical approach. The classical approach
emphasized efficiency, process, and principles. Some felt that this emphasis disregarded
important aspects of organizational life, particularly as it related to human behavior. Thus, the
behavioral approach focused on trying to understand the factors that affect human behavior at
work.
(i) Human Relations.
The Hawthorne Experiments began in 1924 and continued through the early 1930s. A
variety of researchers participated in the studies, including Elton Mayo. One of the major
conclusions of the Hawthorne studies was that workers' attitudes are associated with
productivity. Another was that the workplace is a social system and informal group influence
could exert a powerful effect on individual behavior. A third was that the style of supervision is
an important factor in increasing workers' job satisfaction.
(ii) Behavioral Science.
Behavioral science and the study of organizational behavior emerged in the 1950s and
1960s. The behavioral science approach was a natural progression of the human relations
movement. It focused on applying conceptual and analytical tools to the problem of
understanding and predicting behavior in the workplace.
The behavioral science approach has contributed to the study of management through
its focus on personality, attitudes, values, motivation, group behavior, leadership,
communication, and conflict, among other issues.
c) THE QUANTITATIVE APPROACH:
The quantitative approach focuses on improving decision making via the application of
quantitative techniques. Its roots can be traced back to scientific management.
(i) Management Science (Operations Research)
Management science (also called operations research) uses mathematical and statistical
approaches to solve management problems. It developed during World War II as strategists
tried to apply scientific knowledge and methods to the complex problems of war. Industry began
to apply management science after the war. The advent of the computer made many
management science tools and concepts more practical for industry
(ii) Production And Operations Management.
This approach focuses on the operation and control of the production process that
transforms resources into finished goods and services. It has its roots in scientific management
but became an identifiable area of management study after World War II. It uses many of the
tools of management science.
Operations management emphasizes productivity and quality of both manufacturing and
service organizations. W. Edwards Deming exerted a tremendous influence in shaping modern
ideas about improving productivity and quality. Major areas of study within operations
management include capacity planning, facilities location, facilities layout, materials requirement
planning, scheduling, purchasing and inventory control, quality control, computer integrated
manufacturing, just-in-time inventory systems, and flexible manufacturing systems.
d) SYSTEMS APPROACH:
The simplified block diagram of the systems approach is given below.
The systems approach focuses on understanding the organization as an open system
that transforms inputs into outputs. The systems approach began to have a strong impact on
management thought in the 1960s as a way of thinking about managing techniques that would
allow managers to relate different specialties and parts of the company to one another, as well
as to external environmental factors. The systems approach focuses on the organization as a
whole, its interaction with the environment, and its need to achieve equilibrium.
e) CONTINGENCY APPROACH:
The contingency approach focuses on applying management principles and processes
as dictated by the unique characteristics of each situation. It emphasizes that there is no one
best way to manage and that it depends on various situational factors, such as the external
environment, technology, organizational characteristics, characteristics of the manager, and
characteristics of the subordinates. Contingency theorists often implicitly or explicitly criticize the
classical approach for its emphasis on the universality of management principles; however,
most classical writers recognized the need to consider aspects of the situation when applying
management principles.
The practice of management is as old as human civilization. The ancient civilizations of
Egypt (the great pyramids), Greece (leadership and war tactics of Alexander the great) and
Rome displayed the marvelous results of good management practices.
The origin of management as a discipline was developed in the late 19th century. Over
time, management thinkers have sought ways to organize and classify the voluminous
information about management that has been collected and disseminated. These attempts at
classification have resulted in the identification of management approaches.
The approaches of management are theoretical frameworks for the study of management. Each of the approaches of management are based on somewhat different assumptions about human beings and the
organizations for which they work.
The different approaches of management are:
a) Classical approach,
b) Behavioral approach,
c) Quantitative approach,
d) Systems approach,
e) Contingency approach.
The formal study of management is largely a twentieth-century phenomenon, and to some
degree the relatively large number of management approaches reflects a lack of consensus
among management scholars about basic questions of theory and practice.
a) THE CLASSICAL APPROACH:
The classical approach is the oldest formal approach of management thought. Its roots pre-date
the twentieth century. The classical approach of thought generally concerns ways to manage
work and organizations more efficiently. Three areas of study that can be grouped under the
classical approach are scientific management, administrative management, and bureaucratic
management.
(i) Scientific Management.
Frederick Winslow Taylor is known as the father of scientific management. Scientific
management (also called Taylorism or the Taylor system) is a theory of management that
analyzes and synthesizes workflows, with the objective of improving labor productivity. In other
words, Traditional rules of thumb are replaced by precise procedures developed after careful
study of an individual at work.
(ii) Administrative Management.
Administrative management focuses on the management process and principles of
management. In contrast to scientific management, which deals largely with jobs and work at
the individual level of analysis, administrative management provides a more general theory of
management. Henri Fayol is the major contributor to this approach of management thought.
(iii) Bureaucratic Management.
Bureaucratic management focuses on the ideal form of organization. Max Weber was
the major contributor to bureaucratic management. Based on observation, Weber concluded
that many early organizations were inefficiently managed, with decisions based on personal
relationships and loyalty. He proposed that a form of organization, called a bureaucracy,
characterized by division of labor, hierarchy, formalized rules, impersonality, and the selection
and promotion of employees based on ability, would lead to more efficient management. Weber
also contended that managers' authority in an organization should be based not on tradition or
charisma but on the position held by managers in the organizational hierarchy.
b) THE BEHAVIORAL APPROACH:
The behavioral approach of management thought developed, in part, because of
perceived weaknesses in the assumptions of the classical approach. The classical approach
emphasized efficiency, process, and principles. Some felt that this emphasis disregarded
important aspects of organizational life, particularly as it related to human behavior. Thus, the
behavioral approach focused on trying to understand the factors that affect human behavior at
work.
(i) Human Relations.
The Hawthorne Experiments began in 1924 and continued through the early 1930s. A
variety of researchers participated in the studies, including Elton Mayo. One of the major
conclusions of the Hawthorne studies was that workers' attitudes are associated with
productivity. Another was that the workplace is a social system and informal group influence
could exert a powerful effect on individual behavior. A third was that the style of supervision is
an important factor in increasing workers' job satisfaction.
(ii) Behavioral Science.
Behavioral science and the study of organizational behavior emerged in the 1950s and
1960s. The behavioral science approach was a natural progression of the human relations
movement. It focused on applying conceptual and analytical tools to the problem of
understanding and predicting behavior in the workplace.
The behavioral science approach has contributed to the study of management through
its focus on personality, attitudes, values, motivation, group behavior, leadership,
communication, and conflict, among other issues.
c) THE QUANTITATIVE APPROACH:
The quantitative approach focuses on improving decision making via the application of
quantitative techniques. Its roots can be traced back to scientific management.
(i) Management Science (Operations Research)
Management science (also called operations research) uses mathematical and statistical
approaches to solve management problems. It developed during World War II as strategists
tried to apply scientific knowledge and methods to the complex problems of war. Industry began
to apply management science after the war. The advent of the computer made many
management science tools and concepts more practical for industry
(ii) Production And Operations Management.
This approach focuses on the operation and control of the production process that
transforms resources into finished goods and services. It has its roots in scientific management
but became an identifiable area of management study after World War II. It uses many of the
tools of management science.
Operations management emphasizes productivity and quality of both manufacturing and
service organizations. W. Edwards Deming exerted a tremendous influence in shaping modern
ideas about improving productivity and quality. Major areas of study within operations
management include capacity planning, facilities location, facilities layout, materials requirement
planning, scheduling, purchasing and inventory control, quality control, computer integrated
manufacturing, just-in-time inventory systems, and flexible manufacturing systems.
d) SYSTEMS APPROACH:
The simplified block diagram of the systems approach is given below.
The systems approach focuses on understanding the organization as an open system
that transforms inputs into outputs. The systems approach began to have a strong impact on
management thought in the 1960s as a way of thinking about managing techniques that would
allow managers to relate different specialties and parts of the company to one another, as well
as to external environmental factors. The systems approach focuses on the organization as a
whole, its interaction with the environment, and its need to achieve equilibrium.
e) CONTINGENCY APPROACH:
The contingency approach focuses on applying management principles and processes
as dictated by the unique characteristics of each situation. It emphasizes that there is no one
best way to manage and that it depends on various situational factors, such as the external
environment, technology, organizational characteristics, characteristics of the manager, and
characteristics of the subordinates. Contingency theorists often implicitly or explicitly criticize the
classical approach for its emphasis on the universality of management principles; however,
most classical writers recognized the need to consider aspects of the situation when applying
management principles.
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