Unit 1: Management Theories Flashcards
Define Scientific Managment
Scientific management emphasizes careful selection and training of workers and supervisory support.
State Taylor’s four guiding principles of scientific management.
1) Develop for every job a “science” that includes rules of motion, standardized work tools, and proper working conditions.
2) Carefully select workers with the right abilities for the job
3) Carefully train workers to do the job and give them proper incentives to cooperate with the job “science”
4) Support workers by carefully planning their work and by soothing the way as they go about their jobs.
What’s motion study? State 1 example
Motion study is the science of reducing a task to its basic physical motions.
For example, speed was the focus in a study of workers editing computer documents and copying data among spreadsheets.
It was found that persons using 24-inch monitors did tasks 52% faster than those using 18-inch monitors. Researchers estimated that use of the larger monitors could save up to 3.5 labour hours per day.
Present-day example of scientific management
A present-day example of scientific management is at the United Parcel Service (UPS), where many workers are guided by careful calibrated productivity standards.
Sorters at regional centers are timed according to strict task requirements and are expected to load vans at a set number of packages per hour. Global positioning technology plots the shortest routes and delivery stops are studied and carefully timed
State Fayol’s 14 principles.
1) Division of labour - Specialization of work will result in continuous improvement in skills and methods.
2) Authority - Managers and workers need to understand that managers have the right to give orders.
3) Discipline - Behaviour needs to be grounded in obedience and derived from respect. There will be no slacking or bending of rules.
4) Unity of command - Each employee should have one, and only one, manager
5) Unity of direction - The leader generates a single plan, and all play their part in executing that plan.
6) Subordination of individual interests - While at work, only work issues should be undertaken or considered.
7) Remuneration - All should receive fair payment for their work; employees are valuable and not simply an expense.
8) Centralization - While recognizing the difficulties in large organizations, decisions are primarily made from the top.
9) Scalar chain (line of authority) - Organizations must have clear, formal chains of command running from the top to the bottom of the organization.
10) Order - There’s a place for everything, and all things should be in their place.
11) Equity - Managers should be kind and fair.
12) Personnel tenure - Unnecessary turnover is to be avoided, and there should be lifetime employment for good workers.
13) Initiative - All managers and workers should undertake work with zeal and energy.
14) Esprit de corps - Managers should work to build harmony and cohesion among personnel.
Fayol’s five of management closely resemble the four functions of management.
1) Foresight - To complete a plan of action for the future
2) Organization - To provide and mobilize resources to implement the plan.
3) Command - To lead, select, and evaluate workers to get the best work toward the plan.
4) Coordination - To fit diverse efforts together and ensure information is shared and problems solved.
5) Control - To make sure things happen according to plan and take necessary corrective action.
Bureaucracy
A rational and efficient form of organization founded on logic, order, and legitimate authority.
What are the defining characteristics of Weber’s bureaucracy?
1) Clear division of labor - Jobs are well defined, and workers become highly skilled at performing them.
2) Clear hierarchy of authority - Authority and responsibility are well defined for each position , and each position reports to a higher-level one.
3) Formal rules and procedures - Written guidelines direct behavior and decisions in jobs, and written files are kept for historical record.
4) Impersonality - Rules and procedures are impartially and uniformly applied, with no one receiving preferential treatment.
5) Careers based on merit - Workers are selected and promoted on ability, competency and performance and managers are career employees of the organization.
What are the disadvantages of bureaucracy?
The disadvantages of bureaucracy are excessive paperwork or “red tape”, slowness in handling problems, rigidity in face of shifting customer or client needs, resistance to change, and employee apathy.
