Business Management Assignment-classical Management
Content
Classical management Management in all organizational areas and business activities are the acts of getting people together to achieve the desired goals and objectives efficiently and effectively. Management comprises of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling or effort for the purpose of accomplishing a desired organizational objective. Management entails the coordination of human efforts and material resources towards the achievement of organizational objectives as well as organization of the productive functions essential for achieving the stated or economic goals. The classical school of management emerged throughout the late 1800’s and 1900’s as a result of industrial revolution. Since the beginning of time the managers have always needed to know how to perform the functions discussed earlier (planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling). The industrial revolution emphasized the importance of better management, as organizations grew larger and more complex. The classical management theorists thought that there was only one way to solve management problems in the industrial organizations. Their theories generally assumed that people could make logical and rational decisions while trying to maximize personal gains from the work situations. The classical school of management is based on scientific management, which has its roots in Henry Fayol’s work and German sociologist Weber. Scientific management is a type of management, which bases standards upon facts. The facts are gathered by observation, experimentation or sound reasoning. The classical management structure is classified with three levels of management, namely; Top-level management. It is usually occupied with organizing and controlling. The level of management is a board of directors, and it is the board that will develop long term strategic plans to meet the objectives of the business. Middle level management. It coordinates the activity of the supervisors. It formulates departmental policies and also plans in accordance with the strategic plans and objectives in the overall budget. Low-level management. At the lowest level there are supervisors present who are responsible for getting the jobs done. These supervisors over-see day to day objectives and follow the orders of the middle level managers. Fredrick Taylor’s scientific management- scientific management methods called for optimizing the way that the tasks were performed and also simplifying the jobs enough so that the workers could be trained to perform their specialized sequence of motions in one best way. The various techniques to practice scientific
management are briefly discussed below; Time study. It refers to the technique used to measure the time that may be taken by a workman of reasonable skill and efficiency to perform the various elements of a job. Time study is helpful in deciding the time required normally to perform a given job. It is also helpful in determining a fair days work for the workman, Motion study. It means close observation of the movements of a workers body or a machine involved in performing a particular job. Motion study helps find the best method in doing a job and helps to minimize redundant movements that often lead in wastage of time and efforts of the workman. It also helps in reducing human fatigue and also ost of production. Method study. The aim of method study is to maximize efficiency in the use of materials, machinery, manpower, and capital by improving work methods. Fatigue study. Fatigue arises when a workman is overloaded with work and hence his performance deteriorates. In order to minimize the fatigue that the workers experience, it is essential for them to take breaks of small intervals so as to rejuvenate and for them to work to their potential Scientific management can be beneficial to the organization in the following ways; Higher efficiency. It helps to improve the overall efficiency of the business through scientific task planning and workstudy. A higher output can be obtained from the available resources by putting the right man on the right job. Free training. Scientific training and development of workers is an essential part of scientific management. Facilities for free training enable workers to improve their skills and opportunities for promotions in the future. Industrial peace. Scientific management involves a mental revolution on the part of employers and employees. Mutual understanding and cooperation between them helps to minimize industrial disputes and maintain cordial industrial relations. Despite all the benefits of scientific management, it has also been opposed; Unemployment. Workers feel that scientific management reduces employment opportunities for them through replacement of men by machines and by increasing human productivity. Expensive. It is extremely costly as a huge investment is required in the establishment of planning department, work-
study, training of workers etc. Time consuming. A lot of time is required for work-study, method and motion study. During this period the work of the organization may be disrupted. Another leading management theorist gave fourteen important principles of management namely; Division of work. This principle focuses on specialization as it leads to efficiency in the tasks being performed by the workers, thereby reducing redundant activities and increasing overall output. Authority. Managers must have the right to give orders and they need to make sure that their orders are followed. Discipline. Every employee of the organization must obey the rules of the organization and must perform every task within the organizational framework. Unity of command. Every employee should receive orders and commands from only one superior. Unity of direction. Each group of organizational activities that have the same objectives should be managed under one plan. Subordination of individual interest to general interest. Remuneration. Workers must be paid fair wages for the services they offer. Centralization. It refers to the degree to which subordinated are involved in the decision making process of the organization. Scalar chain. The line of authority from the top management to the lower management represents the scalar chain. Order. People and materials should be at the right place and at the right time. Equity. Managers should be fair to their subordinates and should also be treating them equally. Stability of tenure of personnel. Management should provide orderly personnel planning and make sure replacements are available when they are needed. Initiative. Managers should give their subordinates fair chances to take part in the decision making process. Esprit de corps. Promoting unity and team spirit will lead to better organizational growth and development. Throughout the study of management behavior and theory one can conclude that one theory is often dominant to specific organizations at a particular point of time, an organization cannot survive on one theory alone and expect to survive indefinitely. As organizations rush to expand in global environment they often find their managers in a immersed and diverse population with a blend of different cultures. This constantly evolving environment makes certain for
any organization to be sustainable the managers must understand these new disciplines of management thought and also must learn how to apply them in real life situations. In today’s organizations we require success and if the principles of scientific management and classical management are followed, an organization surely would achieve its desired goals and objectives
management are briefly discussed below; Time study. It refers to the technique used to measure the time that may be taken by a workman of reasonable skill and efficiency to perform the various elements of a job. Time study is helpful in deciding the time required normally to perform a given job. It is also helpful in determining a fair days work for the workman, Motion study. It means close observation of the movements of a workers body or a machine involved in performing a particular job. Motion study helps find the best method in doing a job and helps to minimize redundant movements that often lead in wastage of time and efforts of the workman. It also helps in reducing human fatigue and also ost of production. Method study. The aim of method study is to maximize efficiency in the use of materials, machinery, manpower, and capital by improving work methods. Fatigue study. Fatigue arises when a workman is overloaded with work and hence his performance deteriorates. In order to minimize the fatigue that the workers experience, it is essential for them to take breaks of small intervals so as to rejuvenate and for them to work to their potential Scientific management can be beneficial to the organization in the following ways; Higher efficiency. It helps to improve the overall efficiency of the business through scientific task planning and workstudy. A higher output can be obtained from the available resources by putting the right man on the right job. Free training. Scientific training and development of workers is an essential part of scientific management. Facilities for free training enable workers to improve their skills and opportunities for promotions in the future. Industrial peace. Scientific management involves a mental revolution on the part of employers and employees. Mutual understanding and cooperation between them helps to minimize industrial disputes and maintain cordial industrial relations. Despite all the benefits of scientific management, it has also been opposed; Unemployment. Workers feel that scientific management reduces employment opportunities for them through replacement of men by machines and by increasing human productivity. Expensive. It is extremely costly as a huge investment is required in the establishment of planning department, work-
study, training of workers etc. Time consuming. A lot of time is required for work-study, method and motion study. During this period the work of the organization may be disrupted. Another leading management theorist gave fourteen important principles of management namely; Division of work. This principle focuses on specialization as it leads to efficiency in the tasks being performed by the workers, thereby reducing redundant activities and increasing overall output. Authority. Managers must have the right to give orders and they need to make sure that their orders are followed. Discipline. Every employee of the organization must obey the rules of the organization and must perform every task within the organizational framework. Unity of command. Every employee should receive orders and commands from only one superior. Unity of direction. Each group of organizational activities that have the same objectives should be managed under one plan. Subordination of individual interest to general interest. Remuneration. Workers must be paid fair wages for the services they offer. Centralization. It refers to the degree to which subordinated are involved in the decision making process of the organization. Scalar chain. The line of authority from the top management to the lower management represents the scalar chain. Order. People and materials should be at the right place and at the right time. Equity. Managers should be fair to their subordinates and should also be treating them equally. Stability of tenure of personnel. Management should provide orderly personnel planning and make sure replacements are available when they are needed. Initiative. Managers should give their subordinates fair chances to take part in the decision making process. Esprit de corps. Promoting unity and team spirit will lead to better organizational growth and development. Throughout the study of management behavior and theory one can conclude that one theory is often dominant to specific organizations at a particular point of time, an organization cannot survive on one theory alone and expect to survive indefinitely. As organizations rush to expand in global environment they often find their managers in a immersed and diverse population with a blend of different cultures. This constantly evolving environment makes certain for
any organization to be sustainable the managers must understand these new disciplines of management thought and also must learn how to apply them in real life situations. In today’s organizations we require success and if the principles of scientific management and classical management are followed, an organization surely would achieve its desired goals and objectives
