Management theories from past to present

The classical approach which began in the late 1800’s has two components they are scientific management and administrative management where Frederick Taylor contributed his theory based on observation from soldering among steel mill workers. Taylor classical theory approach was to 1) Develop the one best way to perform any task. 2) Scientifically select, train, teach and develop each worker. 3) Cooperate with workers and provide an incentive to insure that the work is done according to the one best way. 4) Divide the work and the responsibility equally between management and labor (Evolution Management). Classical management theories are broadly grounded in the assumption that work is a rational undertaking that is done in order to make money and given that, the behavior of people at work will be fairly predictable and easy to understand. The trouble is that isn’t always true. Work often isn’t a rational, logical or reasonable process and to many people, work is more than just a means of making money (Evolution Management).

The behavioral approach in the early 1900’s is a view of management that stresses understanding the importance of people’s needs and attitudes within formal organizations. The experiment by Professor Elton Mayo at the Electric’s Hawthorns Plants by changes in lighting, numbers of hours the employee worked, rest periods and incentive pay and hot lunches, workers were feeling more adequate and valued by their coworkers and supervisors. The experiment showed good social relationships in the work place which produce positive output and result.

System approach which began in the 1930’s to 1940’s views organizations as sets of interrelated parts to be managed as a whole with the purpose of achieving a common goal. It consists of inputs, transformation process, outputs and feedback. W. Edwards