Management Theories and Workplace

Management Theories and Workplace

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University of Phoenix

Management Theories and The Workplace

In this word analysis, I will summarize the evolution of management theory, the effectiveness of two particular theories at the workplace, and how it does or does not apply to the work environment. The evolution of modern management transformed into a new economic climate where economic, educational, and political organizations sought different aspects with satisfying the needs of their customers’ .The two theories mentioned in this analysis are behavioral management theory and organizational environment theory.

The Evolution of Management Theory

“Management theory originated with “bureaucratic” and “scientific” management that used measurement, procedures, and routines as the basis for operations ”. Organizations developed a chain of command to enforce and apply standardized rules to the workforce and enforced punishment upon the workers who chose not to follow those rules. With this human relations enforcement in place, companies started to put pressure on individual workers. Management theories evolved drastically with acknowledging corporate culture as a contributor to one’s performance. If one has a sense of belonging to the company amongst his/her team, an organization can manage its business with inclined finances and return on their investment. When working well with a positive corporate culture, such as a manager, once can work amongst its culture and environment without trying to control it.

Behavioral Management and Organizational Environment Theory

Behavioral management theory was a development that responds to the accountability and needs for employee behavior and motivation. Whereas, organizational environment theory is “the set of forces and conditions that operate beyond an organization’s boundaries but affect a manager’s ability to acquire and utilize resources” . Behavioral management applies to my current workplace in Kandahar, Afghanistan because we deal with military and civilian contractors on a daily basis at the Ammunition Supply Point. Organizational environment theory applies to my current workplace, because if the employees’ behavior affects the interaction between the employee and the customers (military or civilian) it could potentially be reported that we are not needed to fulfill the contract that we currently hold until June of next year.

20 Year Development of Management Theories

Accessing the last twenty years for development management theories, the reflection of constant business environments is always changing due to the demand of the customers’ needs and government demand. The cultural, economic, and political forces have affected the theories development extremely .The process of organizational environment theory targets the rapid change of regulations formed by the government, new competitors who are new to the industry, and the regular shift in the consumer’s preference. Technology has changed the way our factories, small workshops, clothing industries, and other organizations have come to dominate the industry making it hard to be number one. “For example, raw cotton and wool, which in the past had been spun into yarn by families or whole villages working together, were now shipped to factories where workers operated machines that spun and wove large quantities of yarn into cloth” .

Role of Management and Key Management Functions

The role of management assists an organization with choosing the best route of resources to achieve their set goals. Managers at an organization accomplish the objectives by “performing four essential managerial tasks: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling .” The planning task has to be performed by the managers identifying and selecting the appropriate goals for the organization and planning the course of action . Three steps involved in the planning process are choosing the best goals to pursue the organization, decision-making strategies needed to attain those goals, and deciding how to assign the resources of the organization in order to pursue the strategies needed to assign those goals .

The organizing task is the structuring workplace relationships so that employees interact and successfully achieve set goals set by the organization. The purpose of an organizational structure is to set up a tasked system that reports the relationships that are coordinated and filled with motivated employees who work amongst each other to achieve set goals. The leading task is when managers provide clear and concise organizational visions for the employees to achieve. The managers also enable the employees so that they understand how involved they are by the different parts he or she play in accomplishing these goals. The controlling task is when managers evaluate the success of the organization accomplished goals and to take the necessary precautions needed to maintain or improve the organization’s performance. “The outcome of the control process is the ability to measure performance accurately and regulate organizational efficiency and effectiveness .”

Most Effective Management Competencies and Styles

Although workers may understand the promotion process into management positions, one has to understand the competencies and styles that enable them to become a competent manager. Managers should be skilled communicators that give their undivided attention and listen to the employee’s concerns, be able to adapt to co-workers’ personality style and be able to manage any conflict that may arise with a satisfactory outcome. Although the baby boomers once dominated the workplace, they are now beginning to retire, and the Millennials (the youngest employees) are now taking over with different work styles than the previous generations before them. Managers have to understand that the younger generations of workers have different needs and must adapt to them accordingly. Employees anticipate different levels of work, for managers to help the employees develop their full potential, managers must provide positive and constructive criticism in a way that motivates the employees.

A key to high-performing employees and morale is that organizations must provide employees the opportunity to learn and grow within the company. Effective managers must provide development plans for employees specified careers and follow up ensuring that employees understand the implemented plans. “A strengths-based management style ensures that managers are aware of their own strengths and interact with employees and the leadership team in a way that capitalizes on their own strengths .” Managers that are effective in the workplace are aware of each employee’s strengths and consciously create opportunities for development that maximizes the strengths of the employee. Organizations have to adjust the policies and structure to develop and maintain a high-achieving workplace. Effective managers assist senior management with relaying information for them to understand that changes are needed to satisfy the needs of the employee and create thriving organizations .

Conclusion

In conclusion, management theories sometimes apply or do not apply to the workplace. The research about the theories has evolved throughout the generations. Managers have learned how to satisfy the organization, its employees, and customers’. Managers have accomplished throughout time effective competencies and styles to help assist employees on their journey to growing within the company.

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