Approaches to explain the concept and practice of management

Vinod n.

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Approaches to explain the concept and practice of management

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Abstract

Because of the extraordinary interest in management, a number of approaches exist to explain the nature of the concepts, theory and techniques underlying managerial practice. Both academic writers and practitioners have contributed to management theories. The variety of approaches to management analysis and the difference of views have resulted in much confusion as to what management is. What management theory and science are and how managerial events and facts should be analyzed.

As a matter of fact, the authors of management call this situation-"The Management Theory Jungle". Though, the vegetation in this jungle has changed somewhat. New approaches have been developed and older approaches have taken on some new meanings. But the development of management science and theory still has the characteristics of the jungle.

Introduction
Various approaches to management
1. The empirical or case approach
2. The interpersonal behaviour approach
3. The group behaviour approach
4. The socio technical system approach
5. The decision theory approach
6. The systems approach
7. Mathematical or management science approach
8. The contingency or situational approach
9. Managerial roles approach
10. The operational approach
Functions of managers
1. Planning
2. Organizing
3. Staffing
4. Leading
5. Controlling
6. Co-ordination
Conclusion
Bibliography

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[...] The Contingency or Situational Approach One approach to management thought and practice which has taken management academicians by storm is the contingency or situational approach. Essentially, this approach emphasizes the fact that what managers do in practice depends upon a given set of circumstances contingency or a specialized situation). Contingency theory takes into account not only a given situation, but also the influence of given solutions on behavior patterns of an enterprise. For example, an organization structured along the lines of operating functions such as finance, design, production & marketing might be most suitable for a given situation, however, some managers using this approach may become more loyal to the function or the department rather than the company. [...]

[...] The recognition of any organized enterprise as a social arrangement of many groups of individuals, with complex attitudes, pressures and conflicts arising from people's cultural background has been helpful to practicing managers. This approach recommends the behavioral elements in group activities. This must be integrated with design of the organization structure, staffing, planning & control. For E.g. If a group of individuals working on an assembly line in an automobile manufacturing unit cannot work cohesively as a group & in turn are inclined to show only individual efficiencies. [...]

[...] If managers are not sure, whether the goal of their firm is sales volume, quality or customer service, they cannot co-ordinate their efforts to achieve the true objective. Each would be guided by his own ideas of what is the interest of the firm. Conclusion Understanding management concepts is complex and covers many areas of knowledge. Various approaches are required to understand the theory, concept and practices of management. The empirical or case approach analyses management by studying experience usually through cases and incidents. When the management is achieving goals through group effort, the group behavior approach is a vital approach for increasing [...]

[...] The approach concentrates on the human aspects of management and the belief that when people work together to accomplish objectives-“People should understand people”. The advocates of this management approach are being influenced by individual psychology & indeed most of them are trained as psychologists. Their focus is the individual & his or her motivation & relationships with others. In this school of thought, there is an emphasis on human relations, which they say is an art which managers need to possess. [...]

[...] It is intentional in the sense of making sure that all the tasks necessary to accomplish goals are assigned and it is hoped that the tasks are assigned to people who can accomplish it in the best way possible. For E.g. In the organization, the purchase department in a company, the purchase manager's role was to study the material requirement of the company for a year and develop suppliers who can supply to the company. On the other hand, the roles of his assistants were to know the rates of each type of material & write the purchase orders. [...]

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