Evaluate the main traditional approaches to management (classical, humanistic, systems, contingency) and contrast them with post-modern ideas of management
Introduction
As any other activity managing an organization has got various approaches to rely on. To be successful managers have to possess enough knowledge on different approaches to management and discriminate them from one another, perceive advantages and disadvantages of each. In this work traditional approaches to management and post-modern ideas are present as well.
Classical approach
Classical concepts in management appeared in the end of 19th century. Manufacturing system at that period faced with tasks which were never taken into account before. Development of large and sophisticated organizations forced to search for new coordination and control methods. From this step evolution of modern management has started and as a result classical approach was established. This approach implied three specific areas: scientific management, bureaucracy organizations and administrative principles.
Frederick Winslow Taylor suggested that low productivity which restrained economical development was caused by bad organization of labor and lack of scientifically-proved norms and standards. Moreover, decision-making must be based not on previous traditions and rules but on exact prescriptions made after thorough examining of specific situations.
The main principles of scientific management, formulated by Taylor, are: * Developing a science as foundation for replacing old-fashioned working methods with detailed research on improving each action for different types of work; * Careful selection of workers and managers and then training them based on the criterions and norms whereas previously workers used to choose the specialty and train by their own; * Collaboration between managers and workers