Management

M A N AG E M E N T

D EV E LO P M E N T

Part 1: Machiavelli, Fayol and Taylor

The 20th century was remarkable for the rise of the professional manager – often basing his or her approach to management on a particular theory or favoured guru. MBA students all over the world have investigated these theories and written countless assignments discussing their value. As we progress through the 21st century, are these theories still relevant or have they had their day? This article is the first in a three-part series that looks at ten influential theorists and the influence they still have. The series does not attempt to create a ‘top ten’ or rank contributions in any way (they are presented in chronological order), but aims to provide food for thought and debate. Part 1 looks at Machiavelli, Fayol and Taylor – three famous theorists who have all passed into management mythology, but whose views are sometimes misunderstood.

MANAGEMENT THEORISTS

In a three-part series, Dilys Robinson looks at ten influential theorists and assesses their influence in business today

Thinkers for the 21st century?

NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI, 1469–1527 The end justifies the means

achiavelli lived in Florence, where he worked for the Florentine state as a secretary, then a diplomat. His best known work, The Prince,1 is based on his observation of Cesare Borgia – a cunning, cruel and self-seeking man. Machiavelli did not regard Cesare Borgia as an ideal person, but thought that, under him, the Florentines could unite Italy – and this was his long-term goal. In fact, Machiavelli’s tactic did not work, as the Medici (the ruling family of Florence) took exception to what he said, and Cesare Borgia himself also found the work insulting. Machiavelli was essentially a republican, preferring a state controlled by citizens (in his day, citizens made up only a small part of the population). However, the adjective ‘Machiavellian’ has become synonymous with corrupt, devious government and with...