Classical Management Theory

Scientific Management

Activity

1900 to 1930

• Frederick Taylor
• "The principal object of management should be to secure maximum prosperity for the employer" ... and "employee"
• Clear and uniform job specifications. Ie; specific movements
• The "right" way
• Goal - greater efficiency, improve productivity of workers

• Split into four groups of 4-6 students
• 1 group for Classical Management Theory
• 1 group for Scientific Management
• 1 group for Administrative Principles
• 1 group for Bureaucratic Organization
• Design a "2 truths and a lie" quiz based on your topic
• Make three questions
• Test the rest of the class. Present actual answers.
• Use technology. Powerpoint, SurveyMonkey, Poll Everywhere, Kahoot, Prezi, other?

• Classical Management Theory:
• People work in a rational manner most economically beneficial to themselves
• Ideologies:
• People are logical, organized, rational subjects driven by personal profitability and gain
• Industrial Revolution begins around 1700s
• Social/technological changes --> increases manufacturing capabilities of basic staples/consumer goods
• Efficient production, specialized tasks, division of labour
• Disciplined, controlled, regimented processes of work

Example

• My last name is spelled "Monterosso."
• I am from Toronto.
• My favourite hockey team is the Montreal Canadiens.

• I coach soccer.
• I dislike sushi.
• I am a vegetarian.

Approaches

• Scientific management
• Frederick Taylor, The Gillbreths
• Administrative principles
• Henry Fayol, Mary Follett
• Bureaucratic organization
• Max Weber

Introduction

Administrative Principles

• Henry Fayol
• Identified 14 principles of management:
• Division of labour, authority, discipline
• Believed management could be learned.
• Unity of command principle - each person should receive orders from only one boss
• Mary Parker Follett
• Committed to human cooperation rather than focus on profitability
• "Integration of interests" - diverse people coming together
• Organization as "community"
• A horizontal structure
• Private profits --> public good (CSR)

• Apply knowledge learned from past experiences to situations today
• Recognize historical influences of modern ideas

Bureaucratic Organization

• Max Weber
• Critical of organizations in his day
• Believed that organizations were not reaching potential because ...
• Those in powerful positions were there because of social standing, not capability
• His solution? Bureaucracy
• A form of organization founded on logic, order, authority
• Division of labour, hierarchy, formal rules/procedures, impersonality, careers based on merit
• Advantages - efficiency, proper resource use, equitable treatment
• Disadvantages - excessive paperwork, red tape, slowness in handling problems, rigidity, resistant to change, employee apathy

Scientific Management Pt. 2

• How do we improve productivity?
• Introduced "time study" concept
• Analyzed motions and tasks required in a job and to develop most efficient ways to perform them
• Hence the name "Scientific" - because every job is a science broken down by rules of motion
• Motion studies - reducing task to its physical movements.
• The Gillbreth family --> study on bricklayers

FUNDAMENTAL ASSUMPTION OF

SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT THEORY?

THE MORE YOU DISCIPLINE A WORKER'S PHYSICAL MOVEMENTS,

THE MORE PRODUCTIVE THEY WILL BE!

However, this theory was more suitable for the 1900's time period, and the needs, characteristics, and demands of the Industrial workplace ... (ie; the relationship between management theory and social context).

Classical Management Theory

UPS page 37.