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Management Theory

The management theory is a very simple theory- how managers run their
business. Based on that you would think that would be it, but that’s just scratching the
surface on how the management theory actually works. When you dive into the details
like swimming pool, the pool would be about a mile deep. Management theory is really
old, but (like any theory) it has changed a lot over the years since it was formed.
We begin with Frederick Taylor, the scientific management movement, the one
who starts bringing science to the workplace. Mechanical engineering expert Frederick
wanted to see more efficiency in the workplace by making the claim that all workers are
in it for the money. Knowing motivation, he used this to make the management theory
that the more work a worker puts in, the more money he
gets.​https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_Taylor.htm
The next person we go to is Max Weber, The man who started the bureaucratic
management. Based on the Frederick, he made the theory based on bureaucracy and
made key adjustments to Fredricks theory. He made everything clear when you worked
for him. You knew exactly what to do, how to do it, who was chain in command, and
made sure to keep everything on record. Everything was crystal
clear.​https://www.business.com/articles/management-theory-of-max-weber/
Mary Parker Follet is widely know in the management world as one of the best
influences in the leadership and organization part of management. “The woman who
invented management” made the management theory that everyone is important. She
would run a company and pay attention to everyone from the CEO to the janitor.
“Create group power” The point to her whole management theory. We work together,
not you work together.
https://www.business.com/articles/management-theory-of-mary-parker-follett/
Our last person is Douglas McGregor, the creator of two theories. Theory X and
Theory Y. Theory X describes a scenario where your workers have very little motivation
and don’t look and act like they want to be here. You get hands on and micromanage
everything they do and make sure they do this efficiently. Theory Y describes a scenario
where your workers are on task and have a great motivation with them when they come
into work. The manager then puts trust into the workers that they will still have good
efficiency without a manager hovering over
them.https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_74.htm

Looking at all of this data. We can start to see where the scenario has changed
over time. Now to dive into the comparisons of each theory.
The most obvious comparison to start with is with Frederick and Max, since he
literally took his theory and made small changes. Mary and Douglas made theories that
had no connection to any other theory. Mary theory was more concerned about the
people who worked and felt worthless and a cog in a machine. Douglas took Fredericks
approach and took a scientific look at the work force and made his theory (or theories)
from the result of the testing.
Max was a man that made sure there was no questions need on the job. If you asked a
question, you defeat his purpose. He was very picky about how he hired like Fredrick.
He only picked people who obtained the specific talents that was needed for the job.
Frederick was the original person who used science to make his theory. His scientific
approach paid off after he found motivation and motivation a key point of being a
manager.
The two main management theories that I will be looking at is the Follet theory and the
McGregor theory. The reason for these two theories is because the Max theory is based
on the Frederick theory and they are pretty close. The Follet theory is based on a group
effort and says that everyone counts in a business and has a say. The McGregor theory
is based on scientific studies and is based on human behavior. Follet’s theory is based
on feelings. The theory I would choose would be the one that fits the scenario. If I had a
problem with low work ethic, I would use the Follet theory. If I had an employee that I
had trouble with, I would use the McGregor theory etc. I would recommend managers
using at least each theory once so they know how it works. Realistically, any business
can use these theories.

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