Class 5:(16.2.09) Development of Management Thought

Management is a tool for organized efforts. There are well known historical examples such as pyramid,Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China to name few, the construction of which might not be possible without some kind of organized efforts. In other words can we origin of management thought and management principles in action in those constructions. Outwardly it looks so, however a deeper look at them shows that constructions of these took inordinately more time and consumed resource in great quantities. In other words these constructions were not subject to time and resource constraints and hence they can be said to use management principles in true spirit.

The real need for management practice came during industrial age. Until then human society was simple, mostly centred around villages, work was simple and carried out by individuals or families such as carpenters. With the invention of steam engines, a host of applications were found. Ships fitted with steam engines were no more at the mercy of winds- but can travel much faster than winds. Locomotives allowed people to travel across country. The steam engine created a new object: factory. The factory moved production away from home and family members. In order to organize work in this new production setting- Division of work was proposed. In addition a new approach - management was needed to control and direct production efforts at these factories.
Development of management thought can be broadly traced under following categories

1. Classical approaches consisting contributions from Taylor, Fayol and Weber
2. Human Relations Models
3. Modern approaches consisting of system approaches, quantitative approaches and contingency approaches

Taylor's Scientific Management

Taylor was a mechanist and as such knew details about working conditions of employees and their attitude towards work. He was the first person to insist "systematic approach" towards organizing production work. He came out with following principles which is famously known as "Scientific Management"

1. Time and Motion study
2. Differential Payment
3. Drastic reorganization of supervision
4. Scientific recruitment of employees
5. Intimate relation between employees and owners