Ab140 Unit 2: Foundations of Management

The first theory presented was the classical approach. This approach focused on the mangers role in authority. In order to perform the task efficiently, there needed to be focus on task, machines and systems in order to perform tasks efficiently. The classical approach involved two different components. The components were the scientific management and the administrative management. Classical approach looked at being the most efficient by studying the work methods, tools and performance standards.

The second theory presented was the behavioral approach. This approach focused on the fact that there was a lack of management attention to the workers which caused a problem in productivity and laziness in the workers. Frederick Taylor believed that soldiering existed for three reasons: management did not know the amount of work that could be done, laborers thought that if they worked too fast they would work their way out of a job and the workers did not know how to do their jobs efficiently in the first place.

The third theory presented was the systems approach. This approach saw organizations as a whole that were all working towards achieving a common goal. In order to achieve the systems approach, there must be inputs, transformation processes, outputs and feedback. So this approach was constantly reviewing the way things were done and improving them upon the feedback.

The fourth theory presented was the contingency approach. This approach focused on the key variables in every situation and trying to figure out the relationships among the variables. This would then result in finding out the cause and the effect of the management decisions.

Each theory built upon the next theory. There needs to be management in place that are all on the same page. The laborers do need to be studied in order to figure out how they work and to make improvements if need be. All these theories are great but if you put them together as one, they make the best way to run a...