Lesson 2: Theories Of Engineering Management Flashcards
Organizations function as interconnected systems, where changes in one part affect the whole.
General SystemsTheory
Theory X views employees as needing control, while
Theory Y sees them as self- motivated.
X and Y Management Theory
views employees as needing control
theory X
sees employees as self- motivated.
theory Y
Uses data and quantitative methods to optimize decision-making and efficiency.
Management Science Theory
Organizations must adapt to external factors like competition and regulations for success.
Organizational Environment Theory
In the 1940s, biologist _______ created his General Systems Theory. He believed your body is the sum of all parts.
Ludwig von Bertalanffy
Which theory created by Ludwig von Bertalanffy states that:
Your nervous system works together with your
digestive system, which works with each organ and
muscle group to allow a person to function. If one
function of the body fails to work, the body as a whole cannot effectively operate.
He also argued that the environment can have an effect on each of the parts.
General Systems Theory
The X&Y management theory is proposed by management theorist ______ in his 1960 book “The Human Side of Enterprise.”
Douglas McGregor
Douglas McGregor proposed two contrasting sets of assumptions about _________, known as Theory X and Theory Y. These assumptions influence how managers think and act in organizations.
work attitudes and behaviors
_________ that lead to the conclusion that a manager’s task is to supervise them closely and control their behaviour.
According to Theory X, workers are lazy and avoid responsibility, so managers must closely supervise and control them.
Managers who hold Theory X assumptions focus on rules, procedures, and rewards/punishments to control worker behavior and ensure organizational success.
Negative assumptions about workers
According to McGregor, there are two opposing approaches to implementing Theory X:
The ________ is based on close supervision, intimidation, and immediate punishment.
The ________ is characterized by leniency and less strict rules in hopes for creating high workplace morale and cooperative employees.
hard approach
soft approach
________ that lead to the conclusion that a manager’s task is to create a work setting that encourages commitment to organizational goals and provides opportunities for workers to be imaginative and to exercise initiative and self- direction.
Theory Y Managers believe that employees are inherently motivated to work and value the importance of helping their employees to thrive by providing opportunities for learning and development.
It focused on the idea of team versus independent work. Argue that a team environment paired with an emphasis on individual professional development produces better results and a healthier work environment.
Positive assumptions about workers
The Playbookof Management Theories
General Systems Theory
X and Y Management Theory
Management Science Theory
Organizational Environment Theory
Applies mathematical models and statistical analysis to improve managerial decision-making and efficiency.
Quantitative Management
Focuses on optimizing processes, resource allocation, and production efficiency through analytical techniques.
Operations Management
A continuous improvement approach that emphasizes quality in every aspect of organizational processes to meet customer satisfaction.
Total Quality Management
Integrates technology and data management to support decision-making, streamline operations, and enhance organizational performance.
Management Information Systems
Methodologies and Tools
Linear Programming
Simulation
Inventory Management
Queuing Theory
Extensively used in engineering management to
optimize resource allocation, production planning, and scheduling.
Linear Programming
Employed to mimic real-world systems or processes, allowing engineers to study system behavior under various scenarios and identify optimal strategies.
Simulation
Applied to minimize inventory costs while ensuring adequate supply.
Inventory Management
Aid in analyzing waiting lines and optimizing service processes, crucial in industries like manufacturing and service operations.
Queuing Theory
Applicationin Engineering Management
Project Management
Supply Chain Management
Quality Control
Assist in project scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management, ensuring projects are completed within budget and on schedule.
Project Management
Help in managing supply chains efficiently, reducing costs, and enhancing responsiveness to customer demands.
Supply Chain Management
Improve product quality by analyzing process variability and implementing corrective actions.
Quality Control
_________, rooted in quantitative analysis and operations research techniques, provides valuable tools for improving decision-making and operational efficiency in engineering management. By integrating these methodologies, organizations can achieve significant cost savings, enhance productivity, and maintain competitive advantages in dynamic market environments.
Management Science Theory
The Organizational Environment Theory was influenced in the 1960s by the following researchers:
Daniel Katz
Robert L. Khan
James D. Thompson
Consists of broad societal, economic, political, legal, and cultural factors that can affect organizations in a society.
General Environment
Specific set of stakeholders that an organization interacts with directly (customers, suppliers, competitors, agencies)
Task Environment
Factors within an organization (culture, structure, and human resources)
Internal Environment
The ______ view sees organizations as
systems that interact with their external
environment, taking in resources and producing
outputs. Organizations must be open to their
environment to survive.
A system that takes in resources from its
external environment and converts them
into goods and services that are then sent
back to that environment for purchase by
customers.
open-systems
A system that is self-contained and thus not
affected by changes that occur in its external
environment
Independent and processes are outward rather
than circular.
Closed-Systems View
- Tendency of a system to lose its ability to
control itself and thus to dissolve and
disintegrate. - Performance gains that result when
individuals and departments coordinate
their actions.
- Entropy
- Synergy
