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Peter Fayol And Max Weber

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Early management theories adopted by such proponents as Henri Fayol, Mary Parker Follett and Max Weber are relevant in todays’ world. In this essay I am going to discuss about all three theorists and how their theories are still relevant for managers in the 21st century in meeting the challenges. In the classical approach to management there are three branches under it. They are, scientific management, administrative principles and bureaucratic organisation. Henry Fayol and Mary Parker Follett developed theories for administrative principles and Max Weber developed a theory for bureaucratic organisation (Schermerhorn et al. 2014, p.36). First we will be going through Henri Fayol and then Mary Parker Follett as they both made theories …show more content…

2014, p.39). Fayol emphasizes the importance of a business and its employees to have a shared understanding of the organizational goals (Evans et al. 2013, p.10). Fayol kept the flexibility of the organisation to adapt to changing environmental conditions (Parker & Ritson 2005, p.1337). Fayol believed that management can be taught and he put forward rules for managers to use which are still used today, they are, scalar chain principle, the unity of command principle and the unity of direction principle (Schermerhorn et al. 2014, p.39). Managers of the 21st century face challenges such as ageing workforce. Due to this managers will have to do planning. One of the main aspects of planning is contingency planning to be ready for this situation and they will have to think of goals to achieve. One of the goals may be to recruit employees that are not closer to the retiring age and provide them with appropriate training. Fayol also considered contingency planning important (Parker & Ritson 2005, p.1342). Another challenge that managers face today is motivating employees to increase productivity in organisations. Organisations adhere to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs today and they believe work-life balance is an important aspect in motivating employees. Fayol stated that the employees’ motivation to work

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