Management Theory & Practices

“CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES”

I. QUANTITATIVE MANAGEMENT
Although Taylor introduced the use of science as management tool, but most organizations did not adopted the use of quantitative management until World War – II by military planners for defense & logistic problems.

The approach helps managers make decisions by developing the formal mathematical models of the in hand problems. Computers have facilitated the development of scientific quantitative methods.
EXAMPLES: - Statistical decision theory, breakeven analysis, simulation, for casting inventory modeling, etc.

Reasons of the limited use of approach:
Managers do not depend on the technique & use it only as supplement & a tool in decision making & the reasons are:
– Many managers will use results that are consistent with their experiences, intuition (sixth sense), and judgment and they may reject results that contradict their beliefs.
– Most managers have not been trained to use quantitative management tools.
– Finally many managerial decisions are non – routine & unpredictable.

KEY CONCEPTS
– Application of quantitative analysis to management decisions.

CONTRIBUTIONS
– Developed specific mathematical methods of problem analysis.
– Helped managers select the best alternatives among a set.

LIMITATIONS
– Models neglect non quantifiable factors.
– Managers not trained in these techniques & may not trust or understand the techniques, outcomes.
– Not suited for non routine or unpredictable management decisions.

II. ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
During the 1950’s a transition [change] took place in the human relations approach. Scholars begin to recognize that workers productivity & organizational success are based on more then the satisfaction of economic or social needs. The revised prospective, known as organizational behavior, studies & identifies management activities that promote employee effectiveness through an understanding of a complex nature of... [continues]

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