theories to guide them in running these large organizations.It wasn't until the early 1900s,
however ,that the first steps toward developing such theories were taken.
Management Theory
A theory is a coherent group of assumptions put forth to explain the relationship betweenvtwo or
more observable facts.
Management theory is the collection of ideas that recommend general rules of how to manage an
organization or business.These theories address how supervisor simplement strategies to
accomplish organizational goals and how they motivate employees to perform at their best ability.
It is a system of ideas intended to explain something.It provides a framework for explaining
observations based on assumptions.
CLASSICAL ORGANIZATION THEORY(1911-1947)
Classical management theory is based on the belief that workers only have physical and economic
needs.It does not take into account social needs or job satisfaction ,but instead advocates a
specialization of labor,centralized leadership and decision-making ,and profit maximization.
Designed solely to streamline operations,increase productivity and enhance the bottomline,this
idea arose in the late19th century and gained prominence through the first half of the 20th century.
While not widely subscribed to in modern times,this theory offers some principles that remain
valid,to an extent,in small business settings in regards to manufacturing.
Classical Management Theory has three schools of thought Scientific Management,which
identifies the bestway to do a line of work;"Bureaucratic Management,which focuses on rules
and procedure,hierarchy and clear division of labour;and Administrative Management, which
emphasises the flow of information within the organisation."
We shall have a critical discussion of each of these schools.
Scientific Management School of Thought
The Scientific Management Approach (Fredrick W.Taylor 1856–1915)