Introduction to Perspectives in Management

When compared to humanity, the managerial practice predates human civilisation. But the twentieth century saw the development of management as a structured institution following the great industrial revolution that began in Great Britain.

The development of management ideas can be divided into the following segments:

• Early stages:
  Since the dawn of human civilisation, management has been practiced. When we go back in time, we may see people collaborating in formal organizations to achieve a common objective. Greek and Roman armies, massive construction projects like the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China, etc. The Venetians established business firms and employed several Venetians during the year 1400 in the city of Venice, just like modern businesses do today.

• Traditional viewpoint:
  Traditional management theories are predicated on the idea that since individuals are rational creatures, they desire ever-increasing financial and economic gain. It consists of the following three theories:

1. Scientific Management Theory:
   F.W. Tyalor, commonly referred to as the father of scientific management, developed the scientific management philosophy. Productivity and efficiency are the main focuses of scientific management. It was created to address two key issues: 1. how to raise the production from the typical worker, and 2. how to boost efficiency. This type of management is described as one that "conducts a firm by standards set by facts or thruth gathered by methodical observation, experimentation, or reasoning." The following are the main tenets of F.W. Taylor's scientific management theories:
   • Standardization:There should be a single optimal method or manner to carry out the task, along with standards for work, equipment, and process. The use of "rule-of-thumb" should be avoided.
   • Time and Task Study: To determine the best technique of carrying out each task, time, motion, and task should be carefully researched.There were no time or work standards in the past.
   • Systematic Selection and Training: The employess should be recruited, selected, taught, trained, and developed scientifically.
   • Pay Incentives: Each and every employee should be compensated according to the volume of labor they produce.An incentive should be given for raising employee productivity.
   • Management-Labour Harmony: There needs to be good relations between management and labor.Management and employees used to have a tense relationship and were often at odds with one another.
     Contrubutions of scientific Management Theory:

• It concentrated on mass production: The operative line production approach enhanced productivity.
• It concentrated on task study and job design through specialization and standardization of work.
• It placed a strong emphasis on proper personnel selection, retention, compensation, and working conditions.
• The scientific method took the place of the "rule of thumb" method of working.
• Management and employees used to have a tense relationship and were often at odds with one another.

2. Administrative Management Theory

3. Bureaucracy Theory

Behavioral Perspective:

The traditional views about humans did not adequately and satisfactorily explain human behavior. It was discovered that purely financial incentives were not enough to make the employees happy and content. Thus, research into many variables related to workers' effectiveness, happiness, and productivity began.

The psychological perspective emphasizes the potential of people and employee pleasure.It includes:

• Human Relation Theories
• Behavioral Science Theories

Human Relation Theories further consists of :

• Hawthrone Studies(Elton Mayo)
• Theory of Participationary Management(Mary Parker Follet).