The concepts of Organizational Theory and scientific management.
Examine and describe the concepts of Organizational Theory and scientific management.
Introduction:
A working knowledge of organizational theory is a foundational element of a manager’s effectiveness in business. Organizational theory is the study of how organizations function and how they affect and are affected by the environment in which they operate. Organizational theories give us potential explanations for why and how people work together to effectively achieve organizational goals.
Organizational theory can provide invaluable guidance on how to structure, run, and lead an organization. In this essay examine the principles that underlie the design and operation of organizations to maintain and increase their effectiveness. This essay will allow you to explore the foundational organizational theories and see how they evolved into modern managerial approaches.
Deliverables:
• The essay for this lesson is required to be a minimum of 750 words (excluding title and reference pages) that clearly demonstrate your understanding of the activity. Essays should have a clear introduction, thesis statement and conclusion, written in APA format (Purdue OWL). A minimum of three sources, at least two from the lesson, must be cited in-text and in the Reference list.
Step 1: Address the following:
Read the following questions/prompts, and use what you have learned about Organizational Theory to summarize your responses:
• What influence did Frederick Taylor’s scientific management have on organizational theory in comparison to the influence Max Weber’s scientific management had on organization theory?
• Provide a description and examples of both influences and discuss how both Taylor’s and Weber’s thinking is still relevant and applicable to today’s management world.
Sample Solution
Organizational theory is the study of how organizations function and how they affect and are affected by the environment in which they operate. Four major theories contribute to this study: classical organizational theory, human relations or neo-classical theory, contingency or decision theory and modern systems theory. Over time, the emphasis in organizational theory has shifted from stiff, hierarchical structures rampant in the industrial age to broader, more flexible structure more prevalent in the technological, modern age. Scientific management theory has four basic principles: a scientific method exists to perform each task; select, train and develop workers for each task; closely supervise employees; and management`s role is planning and control.
