Different theories of management have been developed by several scholars over time. Some of these theories can be dated back to the 19th century when organizations realized businesses not only need to be controlled but also needed to be managed accordingly.
Henri Fayol’s Theory of General Management
Henri Fayol saw the need to improve the management perspective of business to enhance better management of activities. He introduced several administrative methods to help undertake managerial functions in a firm. An organizational survey is one of the administrative methods that have helped in achieving organizations goals. An action plan was also introduced to help in building the organizational structure of a firm. He also introduced statistical reports that have helped maintain the required labor activity among workers. These changes provided the context for the development of systematic management (Sheldrake, 2003, p 12.) Public sector students have been able to incorporate these tools to enhance proper management in the organizational structure.
James D. Mooney’s Theory of organization
James D. Mooney came up with three significant principles of organization: The coordinative principle, the scalar principal and the functional principle. He insisted that coordination is a key function that helps achieve business goals. Mooney also defined the scalar principle as a firm’s ability to delegate authority from the top to the bottom of the organizational structure. The functional principle entails the horizontal differentiation depending on the allocation of duties. This has helped current public sector students in incorporating coordination in different levels of management. Organizational theory is seen as the academic field specializing in the study of organizational phenomena (Tsoukas & Knudsen, 2005, p 1.)
Luther Gullick’s Administrative Management Theory
Gullick applied administrative and organizational principles to aid government in proper management. Through his document on the theories of organization, he put together several theories by Henry Fayol and other scholars hence making all the ideas accessible to people. He also pioneered the establishment of departments in large companies for purposes of accountability and easy division of labor. These principles have greatly helped public sector students in proper administrative and organizational skills that have led to industrial growth and dominance.
Mary Parker Follett’s Contribution to Organizational Theory
Mary Parker Follet challenged other theories by other scholars at the time from the technical perspective to the human perspective. She did this by incorporating a human perspective in the management theory. Follet supported her challenge against other theories by adding that for worker to be content in their places of work, they needed constant motivation. Through this move, she said workers will work better and their output will be even greater.
Follet insisted that in order to manage people effectively, systems such as ordered chains of command must be done away with so as to motivate both the top and lower structures of management. This theory has been applied in public sector organizations so as to keep employees motivated and always ready to work to the best of their abilities. This has helped public sector students incorporate and embrace human resource management and motivation for better output.
Henry Mayo’s theory differed greatly form Follett’s. Mayo believed that modern industrial societies are experiencing the adverse effects of social disorganization (Tompkins, 2005, p. 154. Industrial revolution came and broke the strong ties between people of the same families or social organization. Mayo stated that this move brought about irrational tendencies by people which was brought about by their incompetence to adapt to new environments.
- Tompkins, J. (2005). Organization Theory and Public Management. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
- Tsoukas, H., & Knudsen, C. (2005). The Oxford Handbook of Organization Theory. Oxford Handbooks
- Sheldrake, J. (2003). Management Theory. Andover, England: Cengage Learning EMEA.