MANAGEMENT THEORY & PRACTICE

Management Theory and Practice

Management Theory and Practice

Introduction

The theories of management, motivation and leadership have played vital role in the success of the organizations. They provided the needed insight into the relationship of the departments, people and have shaped the policies in the organizations. As the study evolved so did the understanding of management and scholars proposed theories over time. In the 20th century, the initial focus was more towards classical management by extending the work of earlier researches. Later on the theories on scientific management, human relationship and bureaucracy and many other issues were highlighted by the scholars who improved the effectiveness of management processes and provided guidelines for managers in leading the organizations. The classical theory provided the basis of business administration and provided the foundation of modern research. The scientific management focused on the improvement of work processes through training and standardization of work. The bureaucracy theory focused on the rationalization of the management to communicate clear goals to the employees and towards improvement of efficiency. The Human relations theories explained the relationships of humans and the organizations and worked on improvement of employee relations rather than just focusing on the scientific perspective of the management. It described the management as the art of achieving the objectives through the people and contended the previous research which defined it as a science (Follett, 1918, p. 34). We will be reviewing the two theories of management of 20th century, the classical theory and the scientific management. We will look into their effect in the management of our current organization. We will be reviewing the motivational techniques used in our organization and will be tracing their roots to the motivational and leadership theories. Our discussion will also include the importance of groups and the advantages it has brought to the individuals and organizations.

Discussion

Management Theories (Task1)

Management theories of the 20th century have immensely influenced our current organizational practices. We will be looking at the classical management theories of Henry Fayol and scientific management theories of Frederick Winslow Taylor. We will review our current organizational policies which reflect the recommendations made by these theories.

Classical Management Theories

The title of father of modern management undoubtedly lies with Henry Fayol. While working he was concerned with the overall organizational efficiency instead of individual job level efficiency. He extracted a general theory of managing a business “General Theory of Business Administration” from his work experience. Initially he identified five elements of management as follows.

Planning and forecasting, it include foreseeing activities and action planning.

Organization, developing and devising of structures consisting human and material.

Commanding, administrating the personnel's activity

Coordinating, integrating and corresponding between operational activities and personnel

Controlling, implementation and upholding of rules and regulation

He later made recommendations based on the above elements and his observations in the form of fourteen principles which in proposed will bring improvement and effectiveness in management. The principles

This is a logical, rational and normative analysis of what needs to be done. But this was not a wholly abstract piece of ...