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Classical Management Theories
Classical management theories emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and laid the foundation for modern management practices. Here are three prominent classical management theories:
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Scientific Management (Frederick Taylor):
- Scientific management, also known as Taylorism, focuses on optimizing work processes and improving efficiency.
- It involves analyzing and standardizing work methods through time and motion studies, setting clear performance standards, and offering financial incentives to motivate workers.
- The theory emphasizes the division of labor, specialization, and a hierarchical structure where managers plan and workers execute tasks.
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Administrative Management (Henri Fayol):
- Administrative management theory focuses on the overall organization and coordination of tasks within an organization.
- Fayol identified five key functions of management: planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling.
- The theory emphasizes the importance of clear roles, hierarchical authority, unity of command, and efficient communication.
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Bureaucratic Management (Max Weber):
- Bureaucratic management theory emphasizes a formal and rational approach to organizational structure and decision-making.
- It emphasizes clear roles, well-defined rules and procedures, and a hierarchical authority structure.
- Bureaucratic organizations rely on merit-based selection and promotion, adherence to rules, and impersonal relationships.
These classical theories were developed during the Industrial Revolution when there was a need for systematic approaches to manage large organizations efficiently. While they have been criticized for their mechanistic view of workers and oversimplification of human behavior, they provided valuable insights into organizational structures, efficiency improvement, and management principles that still influence management practices today.