Work Design - Classical Theories
Work design is defining the job role of the employees that
matches to achieve the company vision mission and ensure the satisfied work
environment. According to Armstrong (2014, p. 136), ‘Work design is the
creation of systems of work and a working environment that enhance
organizational effectiveness and productivity, ensure the organization becomes
a “great place in which to work” and are conducive to the health, safety and
wellbeing of employees. In this blog brief on classical theories that evolved
in the late 19th century and early 20th century is elaborated.
Classical
Theories
Although
James Watt, Charles Babbage, Robert Owen, made the foundation for the
development of management thoughts, the real beginning of the science of
management did not occur until the last decade of the 19thcentury.
The main and well-known management approaches towards classical work design are as follows.
- Scientific Management
- Classical
Organizational Theoryi. Administrative Management Theory
ii. Bureaucratic Model - Behavioral Management Theory
Scientific
Management
Frederick Winslow Taylor is well-known as the
father of scientific management. Taylor
analyzed the reason of low efficiency in industry. He realized that waste
manpower and inefficiency is due to the methods of management. He found that
the management is not aware about the best way of doing things. (Ghuman and Aswathapa, 2010) The approach of
Taylor could be simplified a s follows.
1. Science, not rule of thumb
2. Harmony, not discord
3. Co-operation, not individualism
4. Maximum output, in place of restricted output
5. The development of each man to his greatest
efficiency and prosperity.
Classical
Organizational Theory
Administrative Management Theory: Henry Fayol is known as the pioneer who defines management as Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling. (Hussai et al, 2019). Henry Fayol is known as the father of modern theory of general and industrial management. He categorized organizational management under six divisions.
- Technical activities - Production, manufacture, adaptation
- Commercial activities - buying, selling and exchange
- Financial activities - search for and optimum use of capital
- Security activities - protection of property and persons
- Accounting activities - stock-taking, balance sheet, cost, and statistics
- Managerial activities - planning, organization, command, co- ordination and control
Bureaucratic Model
Max Weber (1864-1920) was a German Sociologist developed the bureaucratic model. The features of bureaucracy are: (Serpa and Ferreira, 2019)
- Hierarchy of authority
- Division of labor based upon functional specialization
- A system of rules
- Impersonality of interpersonal relationships
- A system of work procedures
- Placement of employees based upon technical competence
- Legal authority and power
Bureaucracy is considered as a rigid model that is used to rule an organization. There are some problems about the humanity of this model. Bureaucratic Model could be seen on most of government organizations.
Behavioral Management
According to Elton Mayo, the
behavioral management school of thought believe in socio-psychological way of
solving problems and improving organizational productivity (Robbins and
Coulter, 2012). This theory suggests changing the attitude of employees
according to the requirement of the organization. There were many pioneers in
Behavioral Management camp. Various research has been done on this subject area
in history. These pioneers involved in finding solutions for the organizational
problems which were not solved by Scientific and Administrational management
theories.
Discussion
Scientific
management focused on ‘one best way’ to task-orientation, high efficiency, and structural
patterns. The only measurement of these theories was though efficiency. In these
theories the human relationship is missing and only oriented on output.
Armstrong, M. (2014) "Armstrong's Handbook of Reward
Management Practice improving performance through reward" 13th Edition.
Kogan Page: United Kingdom
Ghuman, K. and Aswathapa, K. (2010) Management: Concepts,
Practice & Cases, India, New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private
Limited.
Hussain, N. Haque, A. and Baloch, A. (2019) Management
Theories: The Contribution of Contemporary Management Theorists in Tackling
Contemporary Management Challenges. Journal of Yaşar University. 14.
156-169.
Robbins, S. P. and Coulter, M. (2012) Management, 11th Edition, USA, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Serpa, S. and Ferreira, C. (2019) The Concept of Bureaucracy by Max Weber. International Journal of Social Science Studies. 7. 12.
TechnoFunc (2020) Management Theories. [online] Available from https://www.technofunc.com/index.php/leadership-skills-2/leadership-a-management/item/management-theories [Accessed 19 November 2021]
The Classical Idea is a classic theory that focuses on the organization rather than the individuals that work there. The organization is viewed as a machine, with human beings as diverse components/parts of that system, according to the classical theory.
ReplyDeleteManagement is a universal subject, not only business organisation but every individual practice it in many ways to do things successfully. Then work design is a critical part of modern business organisations which is largely related to HR manager. Further, Author have elucidate essence of important management models clearly and concisely, thank you
ReplyDeleteClassical management theory is founded on the notion that workers primarily have physical and economic requirements. It does not consider social requirements or job satisfaction, unlike more recent workplace management approaches. Classic management theory, on the other hand, encourages labor specialization, centralized leadership and decision-making, and profit maximization. This management paradigm, which developed in the late 19th century and rose to prominence in the first part of the 20th century, was created purely to streamline processes, increase productivity, and improve the bottom line. Classical management theory presents some principles that, while not frequently accepted in modern times, are still true in small business settings when it comes to manufacturing.
ReplyDeleteThis is simply creating a environment of work happily live happily environment. so, that we need correct process of work and correct design of work, method of work, Etc.,. Most of organizations what we can see is more stressful work designs with low out comes.
ReplyDeleteAlso work of Frederick Winslow Taylor, the classical approach of job design is greatly influenced. From his work, time and motion study, he realized that by bringing a proper match between labor, tools, and tasks it would be possible to increase productivity. It is based on the principles of scientific management. Good article.
ReplyDeleteYou have summed up these broad theories in a way the reader can easily grasp and understand really well. Out of all the theories which you have stated in your article, Scientific management took my attention as it is an effective way of increasing the efficiency of the employees in an organisation. Thank you for sharing this wonderful article.
ReplyDeleteThe topic was really explained and it easily can understand .. very good blog article..
ReplyDeleteF.W Taylor's work has had a significant impact on the traditional approach to job design. He realized that by bringing a proper match between labor, tools, and tasks, it would be feasible to boost productivity as a result of his work, time and motion study. It is founded on scientific management ideas.
ReplyDeletethis an interested article well summarized and easy to learn some broad concepts in an easy way. Classical theory on scientific approach has affected on job design in a favourable manner. thank you for sharing
ReplyDelete