REVIEW OF CLASSICAL MANAGEMENT THEORIES

BY ZIARAB MAHMOOD AND MUHAMMAD BASHARAT

HAZARA UNIVERSITY, MANSEHRA

&

ZAHID BASHIR, NUML, ISLAMABAD

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATION

VOLUME: 2 ISSUE: 1 JANUARY 2012

ABSTRACT

No doubt management is very important thing in any

organization. Organization can never achieve its Objectives

without proper management. Management is art of getting

thing done with the help of other People. There is jungle of

management theories which are categorized as classical,

behavioral and Situational management theories. Three well

known classical management theories (scientific,

Administrative and bureaucratic) were reviewed in this article.

ABSTRACT – CONT.

Knowledge of management theories (along other factors) is

basic requirement for managers of any organization to meet

the challenges of the organization. To provide knowledge and

pros and cons of management theories to managers and

management scholars, this article is written. Chain of

command, autocratic management style and predicted behavior

are common features of Classical Management Theories.

Although these are old theories yet these are in practiced in

some shape in most part of the world.

MAIN IDEA

Classical Management Theories are very important as they provide

the basis for all other theories of management.

PURPOSE

To provide knowledge and pros and cons of management theories

to managers and management scholars.

MANAGEMENT

Strategic

Planning

Setting

Objectives

Managing

Resources

Develop

Human

Objectives

Develop

Financial

Objectives

Measure

Results

Management is a process that includes strategic planning, setting

objectives, managing resources, developing the human and financial

assets needed to achieve objectives and measuring results.

LEADERSHIP

A process in which one individual

influences others toward the attainment of

group/organizational goals is called

leadership. According to Grey (2005) and

Shaik (2008)

MANAGEMENT VS LEADERSHIPManagement

Planning

Organizing

Staffing

Directing

Controlling

Coordinating

Leadership

Inspiring

Motivating

Coaching

Building Trust

Selecting Talent

SUMMARY OF MAIN POINTS

Main Feature of Classical

Management Theories:

Chain of Command

Division of labor

Top down communication

Autocratic leadership style

Predicted Behavior

SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT THEORY

Definition:

the systematic study of relationships between people and

tasks for the purpose of redesigning the work process to increase efficiency.

Taylor’s four principles:

Examine task to determine the most efficient method

Train workers to use the developed work method

Supervised workers to ensure they use work methods.

Allocate responsibility for carrying out work as planned

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT THEORY

Fayol’s 14 Principles

Division of labor

Authority

Discipline

Unity of command

Unity of direction

Subordination of individual interest

Remuneration

Centralization

Scalar Chain

Order

Equity

Stability of tenure

Initiative

BUREAUCRATIC THEORY OF MANAGEMENT

Develop by Max Webber and its main premise is organizational structure.

Webber believes that dividing organizations into hierarchies and establish

strong lines of authority establishes strong line of authority and control.

Principles:

Written rules

System and task relationship

Specialized training

Hierarchy of authority

Clearly identified duties

Paper work

Fair evaluation and reward

Maintain of ideal bureaucracy

SUMMARY OF METHODS FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION.

The method used in this article is primarily case studies. The authors used

scholarly research to carry out in-depth study of a particular situation rather

than quantitative statistical surveys

Findings:

Scientific management theory was formed in the USA to increase

productivity, as there were shortage of labor in the US due to industrial

revolution.

Administrative Management Theory seeks to establish an organization

which leads to efficiency and effectiveness.

Bureaucratic Management Theory of Max Webber focuses on the ideal

structure of organization.

CONCLUSION

Classical theories enhance the management abilities to predict and

control the behavior of the workers. These theories are designed to

predict and control behavior in organization. These theories consider

the tasks functions of communication in the organization and ignore

the human relational and maintenance functions of communication.

These are applied in simple, small and stable organizations while these

are not applicable in big, complex and aggressive organizations of

today (Pindur, Rogers and Kim, 1995; Cole, 2004; Grey, 2005).

COMMENTS

This article outlines the relevance of management and its necessity in

achieving organizational objectives. Main emphasis was placed on

knowledge of management theories especially classical management

theories. I agree with the authors that in order to be a successful

manager, he or she should be knowledgeable on the various

management theories. According to this article, classical management

theory is still practiced in most part of the world and is accepted by

modern management theorist such as Edward Deming and Juan while

other theorist believes that man is treated as machine hence as his

words “In the past man was first and in the future the system will be

the first” proof that this theory is against the humanity (Pindur,

Rogers, and Kim, 1995).

VALUE OF THIS LITERATURE

This article has contributed to a wider database of scholarly work and

provides in-depth knowledge on the top of classical management

theories. this article will also provide the knowledge, pros and cons of

classical management theories to managers and management scholars

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