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Management Theories

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INTRODUCTION
As postulated by Stoner, Freeman and Danial (2003) the approaches to management takes different forms with many organization adopting an approach suitable to its structure, culture and objectives. Considering this, Stoner, Freeman and Danial (2003) defines management as the process through which the goals and objectives of an organization are clearly ascertained at regular intervals, the design of the work system and the structure of the organization is identified, and as the process through which organizations maintain an environment in which employees, working as a group, accomplish their aims and objectives and those of the organization in an effective and efficient manner. Stoner, Freeman and Danial (2003) further posits that management is best analysed by dissecting the processes into five managerial functions namely; planning, organizing, leading and controlling. As such, management is crucial to the continued functioning of any organization.
According to Mullins, in trying to identify main trends in the development of organisational behaviour and management theory, numerous works of theorists have been categorised into different approaches based on their views of organisations, their structure and management.
Stating further that it is possible to identify a number of other approaches, or at least subdivisions of the approaches, and also cross grouping amongst the approaches. This essay will be looking closely at the classical and human relations approaches to management theory .and also critically discuss the application of these theories to the Volkswagen group today. While the former emphasises on purpose, formal structure, hierarchy of management, technical requirements, and common principles of organisation, looking at employees exclusively as a means to achieve the goals and objectives of an organization, the latter seeks attention to

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