Describe the fundamental ideas underlying the classical viewpoint to management, and give at least one example of a modern practice that has its roots in this view. Compare and contrast its two approaches.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The classical viewpoint is based on the assumption that people are rational. The essence of the classical viewpoint was that work activity was amenable to a rational approach, that through the application of scientific methods, time and motion studies, and job specialization it was possible to boost productivity. The classical viewpoint also led to such innovations as management by objectives and goal setting, as we explain elsewhere.

The two major approaches are the scientific management approach and the administrative approach.

Scientific management emphasized the scientific study of work methods to improve the productivity of individual workers. Two of its chief proponents were Frederick W. Taylor and the team of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Taylor used motion studies and suggested using a differential rate system. The Gilbreths expanded on Taylor's motion studies.

Administrative management is concerned with managing the total organization. Among the pioneering theorists were Henri Fayol, who identified the major functions of management, and Max Weber, who advocated five positive bureaucratic features.