Contribution to Management Theory - Research Paper Example

CONTRIBUTION TO MANAGEMENT THEORY This paper focuses on contributions made by an individual towards the management theory. The chosen individual is Fredrick W. Taylor in which his contributions to theory are well illustrated, including the significant changes that his efforts made on the modern management. The paper also reflects on the possible cases of resistance with concern to theory development and period taken from the theory to be totally accepted. Fredrick W Tailor was a mechanical engineer by profession and was referred to as the father of scientific management. However, his efforts were supported by other professionals such as Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. In the year 1991, he made several contributions towards the management theory that are still in existence up to date as discussed below. The book of Management, Bus. Rev 3rd edition by Patrick J Montana and Bruce H Charnov states that Fredrick W Tailor was the first to make a formal attempt in the creation of management theory. He made wise decisions such as the decision to advocate an application of scientific method so as to work analysis and develop functional ways of putting the theories to work(Dale, 44). Long time before Tailor came up with theories, there was a common belief among the people that leaders not not made but are born. This belief was a great challenge to the formulated theories since the people could not support them. It became very cumbersome to speak of the aspect of theory management in such an environment whereby the fact that leaders could be trained was totally unacceptable. Towards the end of 19th century, the industry had greatly expanded and became complex therefore creating the need for better better understanding on matters to do with the management theory as well as the managerial technique development (Dale, 44). Due to the fact that Tailor got support from other professionals, Lillian Gilbreth and Frank who were pioneers in the area of motion studies on the job analysis and improvement in work efficiency. Franck used the term of therbligs to describe about seventeen motions that were different and were meant for the purpose of doing the job. Through listing the therbligs, Frank was capable of analyzing the job actions and seek to gain efficiency (Dale, 44). Taylor also played a big role in trying to motivate the workers through his theories, he advocated a piece rate so as to motivate the workers. He knew that motivating employees would enable them to be more productive, he therefore introduced a Gantt Chart as a management tool for the purpose of scheduling work. The Gantt Chart accelerated the use of piece rate so as to record a normal production and a production bonus for motivating workers be more productive above the expected norm (Dale, 44) The Administrative theory that was created had five functions that characterized management as organizing, planning, commanding, controlling and coordinating. Fredrick Taylor, together with his colleagues in the management science movement came up with a theory which stipulated that workers had no intention to work , were very lazy, required a close supervision, had to be pushed by various threatening so as to be productive, lacked creativity and usually got challenged by the work (Montana, 23). However, the theory was opposed by the theory of McGregor which states that workers have a positive attitude towards work, practice high level of creativity, are ready to welcome various challenges, are more responsible and not be challenged by the work. As a result, the McGregory theory was more optimistic as compared to the Taylor`s theory since was a rather pessimistic assessment (Montana, 23) In the year 1991, Fredrick W Tailor made various contributions to the management theory as discussed in the book ‘Handbook of Media Management and Economics by Alan B Albarran’, Michael O Wirth and Chan-Olmsted. From this book, he made contributions on the management theories such as coming up with careful and systematic analysis ideas in matters to do with the job. He also made came up with a way of identifying the employees that are best fit for certain jobs. (Montana, 23) Through his efforts, the scientific management proposed that workers should receive high wages so as to be more productive. These scientific management theories made a significant development in the modern world. From a point of view, the workers are viewed mechanistically thus suggesting that the management would guarantee more output if the workers were provided with high level of wages. Further approaches made suggests that the employees needed more than economic incentives for them to be more productive. Moreover, a large number of the Taylor`s scientific principles of management are still practiced in the modern organizations. Some of them include the detailed job descriptions, proper training among the workers, the use of sophisticated methods in the selection of employees. These scientific management theories also led to a shift to industrial based society from the agrarian based society (Montana, 23). The management philosophy centered primarily on the aspect of improving the workers` productivity and the means of production. However, other existing factors such as the presence of the classical school of management also played a big role in implementing the theories. The school mainly concentrated on the possible ways of making various organizations more productive since it was counted responsible for the establishment of job responsibilities that were clearly defined, the maintenance of close supervision, making important decisions and monitoring the output. (Montana, 23). The contribution of Weber to management can also support the Taylor`s contributions since they involve job descriptions and guidelines for advancement and promotion that are specific. In conclusion, Taylor W Fredrick played a big role in the modern scientific management through his theories since it changed the the people`s beliefs of workers being born rather that made. His theories changed the peoples way of thinking since various organizations are now observing the need to train employees. Workers are also being provided with high wages since it was discovered that workers get motivated to work harder depending on their salaries. This has helped improve on the total output thus rendering the Taylor`s efforts as productive. Work cited Montana, Patrick J, and Bruce H. Charnov. Management. Hauppauge, N.Y: Barron's, 2000. Print. Dale, Ernest. Management: Theory and Practice. New York, NY [u.a.: McGraw-Hill, 1969. Print. Read More