Frederick Taylor: Scientific Theory of Management - Coursework Example

Management University’s name: Submitted by: Tutor: Date: Frederick Taylor: Scientific Theory of Management Usefulness of the three theories in organizations today The usefulness of the theories discussed in organizations today can be seen in their application to management in organizations. For instance, recognition of the scientific theory of management in the modern day organization and today’s workplace can be seen in how the management of organizations is conducted. From organizations such as factories, industries, hospitals and manufacturing organization, the scientific management theory is applied every day. According to Baynosa (2014), most if not majority of organizations today function in a more efficient manner owing to the application of the scientific management theory. The methods of working based on the principles of this management theory are so common and underlie management in almost every aspect of organizational management. In most organizations, the application of management based on these principles has enabled better organizational management and more progressive output in general. Replacement of working methods from simple or common place habits and the use of the scientific method have ensures that organizations perform more efficiently in the modern day workplace. In this way, such methods have been employed in the determination of the most efficient way of performing particular tasks and carrying out various obligations in the modern day organization. Instead of assigning workers just random works, many organisations today assign specific tasks to specific workers based on their various abilities and factors associated to motivation. In this manner, most organizations have also managed to train their employees and facilitate them with skills relevant to efficiency while also maximizing how efficiently they perform their tasks. Management in today’s organization has also ensured there is monitoring of work performances of employees and the provision of instructions and also supervision in order to make sure that employees are adopting the best and most effective ways o performing their work. Work in today’s organizations are distributed between managers and workers in a manner that allows the management faction of the organization to dedicate their time to training and planning while consequently allowing employees to work in a more efficient manner. All these rules form the basis of the principles of the scientific method of management and are very much in practice in organizations today. Looking at such practices as adopted in organizations, it is important to note the significance of the theories to the organization today. In most organizations in the modern day, after the establishment of work processes and employees, the management faction of the organization continue to be involved and give supervised directions to their teams in order to ensure that work is done in the best manner possible. Such measures are taken in a bid to not only enhance efficiency but also affect motivation and output in a positive manner. Consequently, the step and processes adopted based on these theories of management are geared towards ensuring the performance of employees and the work they do supports and suits organizational objectives. The application of the principles advanced by for instance Taylor’s theory of management in today’s organization has ensured an increase in productivity while affecting the motivation of employees positively. It has also allowed the management faction of organizations to stay involved and active in the management of the organization and of employees in an organization. To elaborate on this aspect of usefulness, it is evident that the management faction in today’s organization are more involved in the work processes of an organization and play and active role in affecting or having an impact in employee and job processes. This is to say that they do not stay aloof or uninvolved or even just minimally involved. They are fully integrated into the management of the organization something that can be attributed to the adoption of the management theories into management of organizations. The usefulness of the theories focused on in today’s organization can also be evaluated using Elton Mayo’s theory of management. In organizations today, the theory is vital in managing the human relations at the workplace since its basis provides a framework for methods of management and human relations. The experiments conducted in the development of the theory are still relevant in highlighting the importance of aspects such as work environment an work conditions for the progress of an organization. In this way, the management of most organizations today give precedence to factor such as the work environment and the various work conditions in a bit to have a positive effect on productivity. The conclusions drawn in establishing Mayo’s theory are useful in today’s organization in the sense that they help the management of an organization to prioritize aspects such as group dynamics and team building. Through adoption of such a theory it has become a vital aspect to take note of how group dynamics work around the organization and how these workings have an effect on productivity or output and efficiency among other aspect. It has also become a vital component of management to ensure that they work hard to institute team building and motivate employees for the progress of today’s organization. Most organizations today actually give a high priority to practices such as team building, establishing good working relationships among employees, providing channels of communication within the organization and taking note of employees relationships. These are practices adopted from such management theories as the Elton Mayo theory of management, which as seen is still very relevant, and in practice in the management of organizations today. Fayol’s theory of management is also still very useful and can be seen in practice in the management of the organization today. This theory has enabled the management of organizations to be enlightened in adopting practices and methods geared towards having a progressive management of an organization. This is most notably true in the management of organizations and specifically in the administration aspect of organizations today. The theory’s proposal of five functions of management are still very relevant and indefinable in organizational management today. Such functions include organizing, staffing, planning, coordinating, and directing. In most organizations, the management faction is tasked with these five functions in ensuring that the organization runs smoothly. For instance the aspects of staffing are normally left to the management to ensure the best personnel are recruited into the organization. Other functions are also of equal importance and the management’s direction in handling these functions contribute to the progress of the organization and an ability to meet the goals of the organization. The fourteen principles of management include authority and responsibility, division of work, unity of command, discipline, subordination, unity of direction, centralization, order, remuneration, equity, scalar chain, team spirit, stability, and initiative. These principles as applied in the organization today have also been relevant in ensuring better meeting of organizational objective, increased employee motivation, efficiency, output and productivity among other aspects. The organization of today and the management of the modern day organization also acknowledge aspects such as the significance of motivating factors that are not based on monetary rewards. In this way, a theory such as Fayol’s theory of management is useful in highlighting the importance of other motivating factors that are not purely monetary. In this manner, organizations today make an effort to acknowledge and address other factors of motivation when it comes to management. Additionally, Fayolism advances the notion of equality, something which most organizations today take very seriously in efforts to ensure that the organization and employees are satisfied and motivated. In this way, aspects such as the treatment of employees have become central in management of organizations. Lastly, the bottom-up approach to management that Fayolism advocates for has become a central characteristic of organizational management today with more organizations making the conscious effort to include employees in to the management of the organization. This is directed at ensuring the ability to effectively meet the aims of the organization. In evaluating the usefulness of the three theories to the management of organizations today, it is important to acknowledge the fact that these theories have played a significant role in the establishment of most management practices today. The most significant aspect that features in all organizations today as noted by Miller and Tsang (2011) is the establishment of the human resources management faction that is tasked with the management of employees as the most vital resource of n organization. The human resources department in an organization is tasked with processes that include the management of employee welfare, staffing, recruitment, listening to and mitigating grievance and establishing and implementing other factors advancing the welfare of employees. In doing so, most organization today are adopting and practicing the principles related to the three theories in order have a positive impact on productivity levels, efficiency and motivation. It is clear that these theories of management are not only useful in the organization today but they form the basis of all the management practices featured in the present day organization. For instance, looking at the recruitment process in organization management can help in further elaboration of the usefulness of these theories in the management of the organization today. In most organizations, the human resources will advertise any vacancies in the organization and then invite qualified candidates to compete for the positions available. The recruitment process is based on evaluating the skills of the candidates, vetting them for appropriateness or suitability to the position and any other relevant factor related to the job. Greenwood and Miller (2010) explain that the process of recruitment then as explained here is equated to the scientific theory of management in the sense that it is a scientific selection of the personnel to join the organization’ workforce. In this manner, the best candida will get the position since they will have been vetted to have the most relevant and suitable skills that can enable them to efficiently perform the tasks and obligations in the best way possible. Explanation with reference to two organizational examples The three theories that have been focused on are useful in the organization today in their various capacities. For instance, the scientific theory of management could be useful in an organization that deals with production in the sense that the approach would help increase production while lowering the cost of production. Additionally, the specialization principle that underlies scientific management results in an organization’s ability to benefit from the division of labor. In this way, tasks are simplified and performed in the most efficient end economic manner. For instance, this method is applicable and used in the Apple industry where employees are tasked with specific duties that they are good and skilled in performing which then makes the organization efficient and reduces their cost of operations. In Apple Inc. employees are recruited ad selected in a manner related to the capability and efficiency f their skills. This is equated to the scientific selection of workers based on the scientific theory of management. Apple’s products are the collective work of highly skilled employees who are selected based on the expertise they have in performing specific tasks. This is one factor that the organization takes very seriously and does not compromise. Employees have to be categorized according to what they are able to do best in order to achieve efficiency in the production process of the organization. Additionally, it also results in high quality products since the approach is based effective supervision and standardization measures. Fayolism is useful in the organization today with Johnson & Johnson being a good example. The organization centralized their research and development activities which is an adaptation of one of the theories principles of management. In addition to centralization, Johnson &Johnson manages their research and development efforts in a distinct research portfolio. The company has also decentralized their manufacturing and sales factions in order to facilitate the tailoring of particular decisions concerned with these areas. Mayo’s theory of management is also useful in today’s organization especially in the human resources management aspect of an organization. Adoption of the theory facilitates better communication in the organization, contributes positively to motivation, work relations and advances efficient teamwork. List of References Baynosa, F.N.T., 2014. Theories on Management. Greenwood, R. and Miller, D., 2010. Tackling design anew: Getting back to the heart of organizational theory. The Academy of Management Perspectives, 24(4), pp.78-88. Miller, K.D. and Tsang, E.W., 2011. Testing management theories: critical realist philosophy and research methods. Strategic Management Journal, 32(2), pp.139-158. Read More