Critically assess the relevance of classical management approaches and Essay

Critically assess the relevance of classical management approaches and the human relations approach to understanding present day - Essay Example Centuries ago, the theorists and management experts realized the need of developing some principles and theories to guide the managers in performing their tasks (Kotter and Cohen, 2002, p195). There have been several important management approaches developed and proposed by the theorist from time to time. These theories are based upon different approaches of managing people and work. The classical management and human relation approaches proposed by Fayol, Taylor and Mayo have been regarded as some major management approaches that have also proved their successful implications and practicability to the working organizations. These approaches remained in practice for several decades and also criticise on several grounds due to the weaknesses identified (Beissinger, 1988, p83). The essay aims to examine the relevance of classical management theory and human relation approach to understand the present day organization with the help of relevant literature. The essay examines the key prop ositions of these theories and discusses weaknesses and implications to the work organization. These approaches are also analysed to find their practicability in the modern world. It is unveiled that present day organizations need dynamic management theories and approaches that could be attained through developing set of management practice principles and these theories could not alone work to guide managers towards efficient management of the organizations. Classical Management Approach The classical approach towards management has been regarded as one of the earliest thought of management. It evolved during the industrial revolution era during the problems related with the management of factory system started appearing very commonly and the managers felt the need of system that could provide them guidelines for the solution of their problems. The managers at that time did not had exact ideas about the training of their employees neither they were adequately able to deal with them. As a result there was considerable increase in the labour dissatisfaction and the need to find the solution became even more critical and important (Kotter and Cohen, 2002, p195). In this situation, the classical management theory was developed to provide the best way for forming and managing the tasks. The classical approach was basically made up of two branches including classical scientific and classical administrative approaches. The classical management approach recognizes the defining role of management within an organization. It asserts that the management has the most important role in running any business or factory (Taylor, 1903, p143). There were some early theorists that played role in the development of the classical management theory. For instance, French industrialist Fayol identifies the need of critical responsibility of management in early 1900s. Frederic Taylor – the father of scientific management believes that organizations are required to study the task s in order to develop precise and appropriate procedures for conducting the tasks. He proves that this study will increase the productivity of the plant and then he also developed incentive system to meet the new standards. Later the purely scientific examination of the working environment and organizations conducted by F.W. Taylor and Fayol identified six major functions of an industrial undertaking. These functions include technical, commercial, financial, security, accounting and managerial