Comparing Mintzberg and Fayol
Management is a vital component to be recognized in every organization. Without an effective and an efficient management, an organization will not run successfully. Throughout the years development of management theories have been characterized by different beliefs from various people about what and how managers need to fulfil their specific tasks in their own dynamic business environment. These management theories have been applied on human 's daily activities and decision making.
Two of the most prominent theorists who have attempted to define management are Henri Fayol and Henry Mintzberg, both of which have similar and contrasting views of management.
When discussing these two theories, one of the most commonly asked questions is: “Is the work of managers’ best described by the objectives of management or the roles one undertakes as a manager?”
This is a question posed since 1971, when Henry Mintzberg established his contemporary theory on Management roles, which evidently differed to Henri Fayol’s 1949 classical theory on Management Functions.
Henri Fayol is the founding father of the administration school, and first to describe management as a top-down process based on planning and the organization of people while Henry Mintzberg articulated his fundamental belief that management is about applying human skills to systems, not applying systems to people.
Fayol theory about management and administration was built on personal observation and experience of what worked well in terms of organization. His aspiration for an "administrative science" sought a consistent set of principles that all organizations must apply in order to run properly. Fayol argued that principles existed which all organizations must follow in order to operate and be administered efficiently. This type of assertion typifies a "one best way" approach to management thinking.
Fayol identifies five functions of management all of which he believed were necessary to facilitate the
Two of the most prominent theorists who have attempted to define management are Henri Fayol and Henry Mintzberg, both of which have similar and contrasting views of management.
When discussing these two theories, one of the most commonly asked questions is: “Is the work of managers’ best described by the objectives of management or the roles one undertakes as a manager?”
This is a question posed since 1971, when Henry Mintzberg established his contemporary theory on Management roles, which evidently differed to Henri Fayol’s 1949 classical theory on Management Functions.
Henri Fayol is the founding father of the administration school, and first to describe management as a top-down process based on planning and the organization of people while Henry Mintzberg articulated his fundamental belief that management is about applying human skills to systems, not applying systems to people.
Fayol theory about management and administration was built on personal observation and experience of what worked well in terms of organization. His aspiration for an "administrative science" sought a consistent set of principles that all organizations must apply in order to run properly. Fayol argued that principles existed which all organizations must follow in order to operate and be administered efficiently. This type of assertion typifies a "one best way" approach to management thinking.
Fayol identifies five functions of management all of which he believed were necessary to facilitate the