Critical Evaluation of the Classical Management Style
Questions: It has been said that the classical approach to organisational design and management is not appropriate for the need of modern- day organisations. • What arguments would you give in support of this statement?(35%)
• What arguments are there against this statement? (35%)
• What other approaches would be more suitable and why (30%)
Draw on relevant academic theories, concepts and ideas from the module as well as your own organisational examples to support your arguments.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I will present theories that agree with the question, the classical approach is not appropriate today. In the second part I will examine some sectors where some elements of the classical approach are still in use, and I will give organizational examples. The third part of my assignment will focus on the Japanese management style, and will highlight the differences in the two approaches. Being a travel and tourism student I will focus my attention on travel and tourism sector.
The classical management was formed in the 19’th century. As being an authoritarian society the accepted idea was that if management acted on their own ideas, than work was satisfactory and profitable for all participants. (Mullins. 2007.) Taylor formed his managerial approach based on rational/ economic needs as motivators. In his aspect money was the only motivator for the employees. He based management on three principles, first the scientific selection, which meant the training and development of workers. The second principle was the division of work, and the third, monitoring workers to ensure work is carried out in prescribed way. (Taylor 2006) The fact that Taylor took as basis for his theory, that is employees are only motivated by financial benefits was proven untrue. The first experiments that resulted in an opposing conclusion were the Hawthorne studies, launched by the Western Electric company at their Hawthorne plant
• What arguments are there against this statement? (35%)
• What other approaches would be more suitable and why (30%)
Draw on relevant academic theories, concepts and ideas from the module as well as your own organisational examples to support your arguments.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I will present theories that agree with the question, the classical approach is not appropriate today. In the second part I will examine some sectors where some elements of the classical approach are still in use, and I will give organizational examples. The third part of my assignment will focus on the Japanese management style, and will highlight the differences in the two approaches. Being a travel and tourism student I will focus my attention on travel and tourism sector.
The classical management was formed in the 19’th century. As being an authoritarian society the accepted idea was that if management acted on their own ideas, than work was satisfactory and profitable for all participants. (Mullins. 2007.) Taylor formed his managerial approach based on rational/ economic needs as motivators. In his aspect money was the only motivator for the employees. He based management on three principles, first the scientific selection, which meant the training and development of workers. The second principle was the division of work, and the third, monitoring workers to ensure work is carried out in prescribed way. (Taylor 2006) The fact that Taylor took as basis for his theory, that is employees are only motivated by financial benefits was proven untrue. The first experiments that resulted in an opposing conclusion were the Hawthorne studies, launched by the Western Electric company at their Hawthorne plant
References: • Aitkens H. (1960). Taylorism at Watertown Arsenal; scientific management in action, 1908-1915. Harvard University Press. Cambridge - M • L. J. Mullins. (2007.) Management and organizational behaviour. Eighth edition. Prentice Hall. Harlow • B • Joan Woodward. (1980) Industrial Organization, Theory and Practice. Oxford University Press. Oxford • L • T. Cleary (1992.).The essential Confucius. Harper Collins Publisher. New York pp.4-5 J.C P.F. Drucker. 1971. What We Can Learn From Japanese Management. Harvard Business Review F.W. Taylor (2006) The priniples of Scientific Management. Cosimo Classics. New York