...The Evolution of Management Thinking 1880 - Scientific Management Frederick Taylor decides to time each and every worker at the Midvale Steel Company. His view of the future becomes highly accurate: "In the past man was first. In the future the system will be first." - Frederick Taylor In scientific management the managers were elevated while the workers' roles were negated. "Science, not rule of thumb, - Frederick Taylor The decisions of supervisors, based upon experience and intuition, were no longer important. Employees were not allowed to have ideas of responsibility. Yet the question remains — is this promotion of managers to center-stage justified? 1929 – Taylorism The Taylor Society publishes a revised and updated practitioner's manual: Scientific Management in American Industry. 1932 - The Hawthorne Studies Elton Mayo becomes the first to question the behavioral assumptions of scientific management. The studies concluded that human factors were often more important than physical conditions in motivating employees to greater productivity. 1946 - Organization Development Social scientist Kurt Lewin launches the Research Center for Group Dynamics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His contributions in change theory, action research, and action learning earn him the title of the “Father of Organization Development:” the systematic application of behavioral science knowledge at various levels (group, intergroup, and total organization)...
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...Evolution of management thought and patterns of management analysis. Scientific management school •A theory is simply a blueprint or roadmap that guides towards achieving the goal. In other wards, it provides a systemic framework for actions. •Study of management only dates for the last century, although there has been concerns about effective management practice for over centuries Scientific management school The two earliest pioneers of management theory are: -Robert Own and -Charles Babbage Scientific management school Robert Own (1771 -1858) A British industrialist who valued the organization’s human resources. Scientific management school He advocated ideas such as, - better working condition - meals for employees - reduced working hours He claimed that people deserve more respect and dignity. Scientific management school *Charles Babbage (1792 -1871) An English Mathematician who encouraged the application of mathematics to solve efficiency problems Scientific management school His work put the basic lines of both classical and quantitative management theories. He was also the originator of modern management theory and practice The classical management theory Includes two approaches: Scientific management Classical management Scientific management Concerned with the management of work and workers. it grew from researches of five people: Scientific management *Fredrick W.Taylor(1856 -1915) He was interested in...
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...MANAGERS AND MANAGING What is Management? "Management is the organizational process that includes strategic planning, setting objectives, managing resources, deploying the human and financial assets needed to achieve objectives, and measuring results. Management also includes recording and storing facts and information for later use or for others within the organization. Management functions are not limited to managers and supervisors. Every member of the organization has some management and reporting functions as part of their job." (Knowledge Management Terms, 2009) Essential Managerial Tasks A manager's job uniquely describes the functions of management, which are most commonly cited as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, although some managers' jobs identify additional functions. The process of management is defined by the functions of management, which are distinct from accounting, finance, marketing, and other business functions. " These functions provide a useful way of classifying information about management, and most basic management texts since the 1950s have been organized around a functional framework." (Cengage, 2006) Levels and Skills of Managers Most organizations have three levels of management. First-line, middle, and top managers. While first-line managers are responsible for the day-to-day supervision of non-managerial employees, middle managers are responsible for developing and utilizing organizational resources efficiently...
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...Project Management 1. Introduction As a discipline and professional subject, project management has gained unprecedented prevalence throughout the world as a consequence of its role in assisting the organization to efficiently utilize limited resources, resolving sophisticated technology and enhancing its survive in the increasingly competitive market. Specifically, implementing project management techniques assists the organization in curtailing the overheads costs, satisfying project deadlines and customizing the project workplace and so forth. Some 4500 years ago, projects had been undertaken with the pyramids construction by the ancient Egyptians, but it is universally accepted that the period of 1950s is an indication of the arrival of modern management era and the commencement of utilizing formal project management tools and techniques (Awan, 2010). Economic pressures of the industrialized world, competition between rival companies and greater regard for the value, well-being and hence the employment costs of working people have all contributed to the development of new project management ideas and techniques. The purpose of this essay is to identify the major developments in the domain of project management over the past five decades and to explain how these historical developments influence the understanding of modern project management. 2. Crucial Developments in the Field of PM and Repercussions on Understanding Modern Project Management Prior to 1950s...
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...The concept of Knowledge Management and its evolution The concept of Knowledge Management and its evolution The concept of Knowledge Management and its evolution The business environment of the twenty-first century is dominated by a powerful influence: the knowledge and information revolution. Knowledge is thought to be the only meaningful resource in this knowledge-based economy. The traditional factors of production have become secondary. In the current economy of increased global competition companies are using knowledge as a means to gain competitive advantage. Their ability to succeed largely depends on how well they can manage knowledge. Without a doubt, Knowledge Management (KM) has become increasingly important for all organizations. Knowledge Management is a concept and a term that arose approximately two decades ago, roughly in 1990. Quite simply one might say that it means organizing an organization’s information and knowledge holistically, but it is not the whole picture. Very early on in the KM movement, Davenport (1994) offered the still widely quoted definition: “Knowledge management is the process of capturing, distributing, and effectively using knowledge.” This definition has the virtue of being simple, stark, and to the point. A few years later, the Gartner Group created another second definition of KM, which is perhaps the most frequently cited one (Duhon, 1998): “Knowledge management is a discipline that promotes an integrated approach to identifying...
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...Introduction: The Theory behind Scientific Management The definition of Scientific Management is that it is “the management thought concerned primarily with the physical efficiency of an individual worker.” (Business Dictionary, 2011) Though the famous economist Adam Smith, with his division of labour hypothesis is credited with using scientific management principles, it is widely believed that the father of scientific management is the management theorist, Frederick Taylor. Scientific Management and Taylorism are near synonymous due to the fact that the field of Scientific Management was pioneered by Frederick Taylor in the late 19th century. With the adoption of scientific management in virtually every aspect of management practice, the field of scientific management took off in a big way in the 20th century. This resulted in greater efficiencies and more productivity of the workforce as the application of scientific management theories meant that production processes were standardized and the principle of division of labour was applied leading to mass production of goods (Taylor, 2011, 80). An interesting aspect of the scientific management approach pioneered by Taylor is his emphasis on increasing efficiency from the “bottom up” where he concentrated on the shop floor to maximize productivity. When contrasted with the theories by Henri Fayol and Max Weber who favoured a top down approach, we find that Taylor’s approach is better suited to the rigours of modern day manufacturing...
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...Scientific Management Scientific Management was a new form of management that evolved in the late 1800’s that was based on a number of principles that analyzed the activities of individuals, which in turn, optimized efficiency and productivity. In this essay I will discuss the major advances that were pioneered by Frederick Winslow Taylor, Henry Gantt and Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Frederick Winslow Taylor was thought of as the most influential business guru of the twentieth century. (154) Taylor was a well -educated man that started his work as a laborer and quickly moved up to a chief engineer at Midvale Steel Company. Through his various positions and experience within this company he discovered many problems that were apparent between management and laborer. His first attempt in his creation of Scientific Management was to combat a process called “soldiering”. Taylor observed how the process of soldering led to low production because workers had intentionally worked slow, while making management believe they were working faster. Taylor identified two types of soldiering that workers practiced: natural and systematic. Natural soldiering was referred to as the “the natural instinct and tendency of men to take it easy.” Managers tried to overcome natural soldiering by forcing workers to be more productive. (123) Systematic soldiering was when workers all together would reason with one another to work slower. Taylor believed that workers systematically soldiered...
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...The concept of this essay is to compare and contrast between the Scientific School of Thought and the Behaviorist School of Thought. To better understand this essay two matters must be understood, firstly understanding the meaning of management and secondly, the evolution of management. Management is a collection of different roles undertaken to achieve a job effectively. Another matter that needs to be understood is the evolution of management. Management has evolved from the classical approach to bureaucracy to human relations movement and social psychological schools and finally to modern approach to management. The individuals involved during the evolution of management are Frederick Winslow Taylor, Henri Fayol, Max Weber, and Elton Mayo. F. W. Taylor and Henri Fayol developed classical theories and were concerned with the arrangement and performance of a formal organisation. Max Weber developed a structure of organization known as bureaucracy. Weber developed six characteristics of bureaucracy as followed below: 1. Rules created by management, management will direct the lower levels of the organization by using in a steady and expected approach. 2. Separation of labour, each job is specified with different responsibilities and authority. 3. Hierarchical arrangement, each and every organization has a hierarchy of power. The top level staff gives direction to middle level staff and the middle level staff gives direction to the lower level...
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...Financial Management means the efficient and effective management of money (funds) in such a manner as to accomplish the objectives of the organization. It is the specialized functions directly associated with the top management. The significance of this function is not only seen in the 'Line' but also in the capacity of 'Staff' in overall administration of a company. It has been defined differently by different experts in the field. It includes how to raise the capital, how to allocate it i.e. capital budgeting. Not only about long term budgeting but also how to allocate the short term resources like current assets. It also deals with the dividend policies of the share holders. Financial management has emerged as a distinct field of study only in the early part of this century, as a result of consolidation movement and formation of large enterprises. Its evolution may be divided into three phases. The Traditional phase, The Transitional phase and The Modern phase The Traditional Phase: This phase has lasted for about four decades. Its finest expression was shown in the scholarly work of Arthur S. Dewing, in his book tilted the Financial Policy of Corporation in 1920s. In this phase the focus of financial management was on four selected aspects. It treats the entire subject of finance from the outsider's point of view (investment banks, lenders, other) rather than the financial decision maker in the firm. It places much importance of corporation finance and too...
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...last decades human development has undergone a tremendous change, which also means drastic changes for each consumer. Many aspects of this evolution were brought about by technological innovations. Similarly the now sociologically established and oft-documented evolution in social values was massively influenced by these new technologies, which are in large part responsible for putting everyone in competition with everyone else while simultaneously increasing the wishes and demands of the consumers. The concept of “handmade mass production” is one such paradoxical example. A few major brands have perfected this concept within digital brand management. A few examples are Adidas’ sneakers (www.myadidas.com) which are customized to perfectly fit their customers’ feet, personally tailored cosmetics and perfume (www.reflect.com), or C&A’s 3D body scanner, which allows clients in selected shops to buy clothes that are tailored to their body to the inch. In a way, it could be said that consumers have practically become product managers; they spread their impressions and their knowledge about the products, which enables companies to bring products onto the market much faster and tailor them even more perfectly to the consumers. As I said before, we are seeing a new way of operating which spans from the production process to communication management and which now involves consumers to such an extent as has never been seen before. While companies have been losing ground, consumers’ influence...
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...Traditional/Conventional Models University of Phoenix PHL717 Constructing Meaning 11-25-2006 This paper will compare and contrast a selected foundational philosophy of management theory to that of a more modern one. The comparison will entail a personal understanding of the evolution of management thought as it is represented in the philosophies under analysis. Personal view would indicate or relate the thought that “I believe that the task of any theory of managing is to produce generalizations that are actionable by managers in everyday life and that as managers use such generalizations, they create opportunities for robust tests of their validity. The business of science and the business of managing are not separable” (Argyrols, 1996, p. ?). While personal reflection shows that each chosen theory can correlate into the business world of today, as commonalities can be examined, each hold a number of differences that illuminates the individuality of the theory and the times in which the theory originated or was prominent. For this paper there will be a look into organization theory in part as portrayed by Peter Drucker from a modern perspective and a science management theory as devised by Frederick Taylor. In today’s organizational society there is a push for organizations to become more in line with a true learning organization, which essentially separates from the more mainstream or traditional authoritarian and controlling philosophy to that of a behavioral...
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...The Role of Ethics in Business Evolution Reconciling works of Managerial Literature, Business Ethics Writer and Catholic Social Teaching, Domènec Melé argued that a firm should be considered as a wholesome person and suggested the ethical implications of his view (Melé, 2012). The concept that a firm should be regarded as a legal person, and not just a profit seeking entity, was brought forth by the House of Lords in the (Salomon v. A. Salomon & Co. Ltd., 1897) case, paving the way for modern firms. Melé’s argument was revolutionary in that he considered the firm a wholesome person, bearing moral responsibilities for communities that it may potentially affect. This response paper aims to analyse Melé’s paper, further discuss his ideas, and finally incorporate the role of ethics in human evolution to project the possible direction of business evolution. The article started by suggesting that there are two views of the firm. The former views the firms as a nexus of contracts, implying that the firm functions as an aggregate of agreements. The latter views the firm as an aggregate of interests, adding a human element of desire to the soul-less assembly of agreements. Extending the addition of human element into the firm, Melé argued that the main constituent of a firm is social bonds, and thus, a firm should be regarded as a community. Personally, I think that the progression of arguments is well organised. Contracts stem from self-interests, and self-interests are derived...
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...Organizational Behavior/Human Resources Management The OBHR is the study of people, process and outcomes within thoe rganizational behavior and human resources management. Through research, collaboration and dissemination of knowledge, students understand how to impact organizational effectiveness in a variety of different environments, industrie s and across multiple levels of analyses. Our expectation is that students within the OBHR major will craft a program of research that is built upon rigorous theory as well as strong methodological skills that are both necessary for effective scholarship. We encourage collaboration with OBHR faculty that has a proven track record of publishing within a variety of top outlets (Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Labor Research, Harvard Business Review; Human Resource Management; Industrial and Labor Relations Review; Sloan Management Review). Organizational Behavior/Human Resources Management Behavior Systems and Management Thought The objective of this course is to explore the evolution and development of management theory with particular emphasis on the design of behavioral systems in organizations. It is a core premise of the course that the design of systems to manage people in organizations is based on a set of assumptions about humans that are part of the managerial theory that guides the formation and operation...
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...10/30/12 strategic management Lexicon Home About Us strategic management See Also strategy novelty organizational dynamics strategic planning exploration exploitation strategic management methodology strategic management framework strategic management activities good-to-great strategic intent management leadership strategic management competency strategic control organizational theory environment Definition See environment for the interpretive perspective of the organization and its strategic management implications. Strategic management is about charting how to achieve a company's objectives, and adjusting the direction and methods to take advantage of changing circumstances (Faulkner and Campbell, 2003, 3). ""The field of strategic management deals with the major intended and emergent initiatives taken by general managers on behalf of owners, involving utilization of resources, to enhance the performance of firms in their external environments."" (Nag, Hambrick, and Chen, 2007, 944) Inductive Derivation of a Consensus Definition of the Field -Representative definitionsnew -- espoused by four sets of boundary spanning scholars base on their adjacent field (Nag, Hambrick, and Chen, 2007, 946, Table 4) -Economics -The strategic management field is-positively-the scientific study of the plans that firms build and implement in order to achieve and maintain competitive advantage, andnormatively-the attempt to identify optimal plans for achieving and maintaining competitive...
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...PhD Program in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School Organizational Behavior PhD Program Video The OBHR doctoral program focuses on preparing students to impact the study of people, process and outcomes within the fields of organizational behavior and human resources management. Through research, collaboration and dissemination of knowledge, students understand how to impact organizational effectiveness in a variety of different environments, industries and across multiple levels of analyses. Our expectation is that students within the OBHR major will craft a program of research that is built upon rigorous theory as well as strong methodological skills that are both necessary for effective scholarship. We encourage collaboration with OBHR faculty that has a proven track record of publishing within a variety of top outlets (Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Labor Research, Harvard Business Review; Human Resource Management; Industrial and Labor Relations Review; Sloan Management Review). Organizational Behavior/Human Resources Management PhD Program Curriculum Behavior Systems and Management Thought The objective of this course is to explore the evolution and development of management theory with particular emphasis on the design of behavioral systems in organizations. It is a core premise...
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