Are the Classical Management Functions Useful in Describing Managerial Work?
Maggie Zhang
IRHR 1001
Lecturer and Course Coordinator: Gian Casimir
11/08/2012
Are the Classical Management Functions Useful in Describing Managerial Work?
There are many different ways to define the classical management functions, however as Miner’s noted the classical management functions which include planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling, they were beginning to arise in the book of Henri Fayol. To evaluate the usefulness of the classical management functions is an important part of describing managerial work and for serving as the basis for management education.
The classical management function of Henri Fayol is not accurately describe the managerial work in details. More and more influential authors on management have a doubt that whether the availability of the classical functions still adapt to the modern management, they are Mintzerg, Mahoney, Jerdee, Carroll and Williams. According to Mintzberg’s typology, there are three roles to manage different types of jobs or different levels responsibilities, which consists of interpersonal roles(figurehead, leader, and liaison), informational roles(monitor or nerve center, disseminator, and spokesman), and decision-making roles(entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator, and negotiator). (Stephen & Dennis, 1987, p. 39). For example, Alexander thinks those specific hypotheses can be used in sales jobs, production manager’s jobs and staff jobs. However, in fact there is only a small amount reports represent the classical management functions are not useful in managerial jobs and no cases could show that the roles of Mintzberg are effective and efficient (Stephen & Dennis, 1987, p. 41). Meanwhile, Mintzberg represents more specific in describing the job of manager. Fayol gives a more conceptual description about the process of managerial jobs.
In conclusion, it can be seen that Fayol’s principles in management have a significance influences on management
IRHR 1001
Lecturer and Course Coordinator: Gian Casimir
11/08/2012
Are the Classical Management Functions Useful in Describing Managerial Work?
There are many different ways to define the classical management functions, however as Miner’s noted the classical management functions which include planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling, they were beginning to arise in the book of Henri Fayol. To evaluate the usefulness of the classical management functions is an important part of describing managerial work and for serving as the basis for management education.
The classical management function of Henri Fayol is not accurately describe the managerial work in details. More and more influential authors on management have a doubt that whether the availability of the classical functions still adapt to the modern management, they are Mintzerg, Mahoney, Jerdee, Carroll and Williams. According to Mintzberg’s typology, there are three roles to manage different types of jobs or different levels responsibilities, which consists of interpersonal roles(figurehead, leader, and liaison), informational roles(monitor or nerve center, disseminator, and spokesman), and decision-making roles(entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator, and negotiator). (Stephen & Dennis, 1987, p. 39). For example, Alexander thinks those specific hypotheses can be used in sales jobs, production manager’s jobs and staff jobs. However, in fact there is only a small amount reports represent the classical management functions are not useful in managerial jobs and no cases could show that the roles of Mintzberg are effective and efficient (Stephen & Dennis, 1987, p. 41). Meanwhile, Mintzberg represents more specific in describing the job of manager. Fayol gives a more conceptual description about the process of managerial jobs.
In conclusion, it can be seen that Fayol’s principles in management have a significance influences on management