The Neo- Classical Theory : It consists of two streams of thought
a. Human Relation Movement – Elton Mayo and Roethlisberger – 1930
b. Behavioural Sciences Movement – Maslow, Mc Gregor – 1940
The Modern Management Theories It comprises three streams of thought
a. Quantitative Approach – Taylor – 1950
b. Systems Approach – Boulding, Johnson – 1950
c. Contingency Approach – Lorsch, Lawrence
4.2 APPROACHES TO MANAGEMENT THOUGHT : The initial efforts towards management principles could be traced from the organisational
practices of Roman Catholic church, military organisations and the cameralists who proposed
certain principles like scalar chain, specialisation, line of command, selection of subordinates and
their training and unity of doctrine etc., later on certain valuable contributions pertaining to mostly
the field of human resources and relations come from James Walt, Robert Owen, Charles Babbage
and Henry Poor. However, the real development of management thought has started with the
Scientific Management by F.W.Taylor.
4.2.1 Scientific Management by F.W. Taylor : Frederick Winslow Taylor has made the major attempt to systematize the management
theory through the publication of “ The Principles of Scientific Management “ in 1911. Eventually,
he is known as the Father of Scientific Management. He wrote Scientific Management with his
long experience as an engineer at various levels of functioning from an apprentice to the Chief
Engineer of a steel company. His philosophy is also known as Taylorism.
According to F.W.Taylor, it is not proper to find just a way for doing something, a manager
has to find the one right way. His major concern was to increase efficiency in production, it includes
not only to lower costs and raise profits, but also to increase pay for workers through their higher
productivity. Further he emphasized that managers should be responsible for analysis and planning
of work in advance, whereas workers should be responsible for the performance of the work as
per plans.
