Management Theories

Management Principles: Principle of Bureaucracy

According to the name bureaucracy theory was evolved by the German sociologist Max Weber (1864-1920). The principle of bureaucracy is based upon hierarchy of authority and web of rules and relations. It visualizes a machine model of organisation characterized by impersonal control over human beings.

Characteristics of  Principle of Bureaucracy
  1. A well-defined hierarchy of authority with clear lines of authority and control and responsibility concentrated at the top of the hierarchy.
  2. A high degree of specialization.
  3. A division of work based on functional departmentalization.
  4. A system of rules covering the rights and duties of employees.
  5. A definite system of procedures for dealing with the work situation and “rationally” coordinating activities.
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Abey Francis

Frederick Taylor’s Principles of Scientific Management

Frederick Winslow Taylor well-known as the founder of scientific management was the first to recognize and emphasis the need for adopting a scientific approach to the task of managing an enterprise. He tried to diagnose the causes of low efficiency in industry and came to the conclusion that much of waste and inefficiency is due to the lack of order and system in the methods of management. He found that the management was usually ignorant of the amount of work that could be done by a worker in a day as also the best method of doing the job. As a result, it remained largely at the mercy of the workers who deliberately shirked work.… Read the rest

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Elton Mayo’s Hawthorne Experiment and It’s Contributions to Management

The term “Hawthorne” is a term used within several behavioral management theories and is originally derived from the western electric company’s large factory complex named Hawthorne works. Starting in 1905 and operating until 1983, Hawthorne works had 45,000 employees and it produced a wide variety of consumer products, including telephone equipment, refrigerators and electric fans. As a result, Hawthorne works is well-known for its enormous output of telephone equipment and most importantly for its industrial experiments and studies carried out.

Hawthorne Experiment by  Elton Mayo

In 1927, a group of researchers led by Elton Mayo and Fritz Roethlisberger of the Harvard Business School were invited to join in the studies at the Hawthorne Works of Western Electric Company, Chicago.… Read the rest

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The Principles of Modern Management by Frederick Taylor

Frederick Taylor, known as the Father of Scientific Management, conducted many studies at Bethlehem Steel Company in Pittsburgh. His experience as an apprentice, a common labor, a foreman, a master mechanic, and then a chief engineer of a steel company gave Taylor an excellent opportunity to know first hand the problems and attitudes of workers and to see the great possibilities for improving the quality of management. To improve productivity, Taylor examined the time and motion details of a job, developed a better method for performing that job, and trained the workers. Taylor also offered a piece rate that increased as workers produced more.… Read the rest

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Conceptual Perspectives on Management

Management has become a part and parcel of everyday life, be it at home, in the office or factory and in government. In all organizations, where group of human beings assemble for a common purpose, management principles come into play through the management of resources, finance and planning, priorities, policies and practice. Management is a systematic way of carrying out activities in any field of human effort. Efficacious and effective management is not possible without in-depth knowledge of the organisation which is being managed. Organisational knowledge is absolutely critical to building, preserving and leveraging institutional excellence. It is like the air you breathe-you cannot measure it, touch it, or see it but you cannot survive without it.… Read the rest

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