Principles of Management

May 30, 2024

Principles of Management - Lecture Notes

Overview

  • Principles of Management: Guidelines developed from experienced managers to aid managers globally in achieving their goals and providing direction.
  • They donтАЩt guarantee success but offer managerial help in decision making.

Features of Principles of Management

  1. General Guidelines
    • Not ready-made solutions, only guidelines.
    • Flexible: Adapt principles based on different situations.
  2. Formed from Practice and Experimentation
    • Developed after extensive practice and experiments.
  3. Universal Application
    • Applicable in both small and large businesses, universally.
  4. Behavioral Nature
    • Deals with employees' behavior for organizational health & goals.
  5. Cause and Effect Relationship
    • Principles explain the relationship between their application and the resultant effect.

Importance and Benefits

  1. Scientific Decision Making
    • Principles are scientifically developed and verified.
  2. Providing Guidelines to Managers
    • Aid and guide managers rather than providing solutions.
  3. Fulfilling Social Responsibility
    • Encourages managers to consider societal impact.
  4. Optimum Utilization of Resources
    • Ensures minimal wastage and efficient use of resources.
  5. Meeting Environmental Changes
    • Adapt internal environment to external changes.

Henri FayolтАЩs Contributions

  • Father of Management Principles with 14 key principles:
  1. Division of Work
    • Break work into small tasks to increase efficiency and expertise.
  2. Equity
    • Treat all employees fairly to foster healthy relationships.
  3. Order
    • Organize everything systematically for easy access and efficiency.
  4. Authority and Responsibility
    • Balance the authority to make decisions with the responsibility assigned.
  5. Unity of Direction
    • All employees should move towards common objectives in the same direction.
  6. Scalar Chain
    • Information should follow a clear line of authority.
  7. Remuneration
    • Provide competitive salaries to retain employees and ensure their well-being.
  8. Stability of Tenure
    • Avoid frequent transfers or firings; maintain stability.
  9. Unity of Command
    • Employees should receive orders from one boss to avoid confusion.
  10. Discipline
  • Maintain rules and regulations within the organization.
  1. Initiative
  • Encourage employees to contribute ideas and participate in decision making.
  1. Esprit de Corps
  • Promote team spirit for higher organizational morale.

Scientific Management by Taylor

  • Principles and Techniques of Scientific Management
  1. Science Not Rule of Thumb
    • Base decisions on scientific methods rather than personal judgment.
  2. Harmony, Not Discord
    • Foster positive relationships between workers and management.
  3. Cooperation, Not Individualism
    • Encourage teamwork over individual efforts, using techniques like functional foremanship.
  4. Functional Foremanship
    • Multiple specialists manage workers; division of planning and operational tasks.
  5. Work Simplification
    • Reduce unnecessary diversity in products; focus on quality.
  6. Work Study
    • Time, Method, Motion, and Fatigue studies to optimize work processes.
  7. Differential Piece Rate System
    • Compensation based on productivity; more output means higher pay.
  8. Mental Revolution
    • Shift from negative to positive relationships between workers and management.

Summary

  • Management principles are vital for organizational success, aiding in scientific decision making, resource optimization, maintaining discipline, and fostering teamwork. Henri Fayol and Taylor's contributions lay foundational principles and techniques that enhance management practices.

Note: Ensure to apply these principles flexibly based on the context and organizational environment for the best outcomes. Share and collaborate with peers for broader understanding and continual improvement.