Evolution of management theory and organizational methods

¶ … Business Environment

There are various views held by management in terms of the methods that should be used to manage the organization. The work of Hartman (nd) states that the evolution of modern management thinking started first in the nineteenth century and flourishing during the twentieth century, which is reported to have "witnessed a revolution in management theory ranging from classical theory to the Japanese management approach." Hartman states that today's management theory derives from the "interdisciplinary efforts of many people." (nd)

Management is described in the work of Olum (2004) as "the art, or science, of achieving goals through people." Olum states, "More broadly, management is the process of designing and maintaining an environment in which individuals, working together in groups, efficiently accomplish selected aims." (2004) Management is about "solving problems that keep emerging all the time in the course of an organization struggling to achieve its goals and objectives." (Olum, 2004) Management methods and processes differ from organization and even between various departments or sectors within an organization and this can be held to be due to the various perspectives held by management in the organization.

Research Problem

The research problem in this particular study revolves around the question of how the best method of management for a particular organization is chosen by management in the organization since there are so many existing views and perspectives on management methods.

Research Questions

The research question addressed in the research proposed is how is the determination made of what method is best for use by management in a particular organization? Also addressed in this study will be the question of what are the processes of management in today's organization?

Research Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of research in the study proposed include the objective of understanding how to choose the best management method for a particular organization as well as the aim of understanding the various processes of management in the organization.

Research Framework

Examination of the best method of management in today's organizations will entail a review of the literature on management methods and theory as well as the conduction of in-depth interviews.

Methodology

The methodology employed in this study will be of a qualitative nature, which is descriptive and interpretive in nature and will involve a review of literature in this area of study. Qualitative research is appropriate and the best methodology in attempting to understand phenomenon in the workplace. Qualitative research is reported as a "class of research methods in which the investigator takes an active role in interacting with the participants he or she wishes to study." (Ehigie and Ehigie, 2005)

Alternatively, quantitative research is such that is reliant greatly on testing, "rating scales, questionnaires, and psychological measures." (Ehigie and Ehigie, 2005) Qualitative research "produces flow diagrams and narrative descriptions of events or processes." (Ehigie and Ehigie, 2005) Ehigie and Ehigie (2005) report that analyses of behavior in qualitative studies "involve discussions of how people experience and feel events in their lives." Qualitative research methods that are adaptable to organizational research are reported to be inclusive of "observation, ethnography, interview, focus group discussions, and projective techniques" and are research methods found to be "useful in answering questions on why employees behave the way they do in organizations." (Ehigie and Ehigie, 2005)

According to Ehigie and Ehigie (2005), the interview is "the favored digging tool of social sciences." Interviewing in the organization setting "simply requires verbal accounts to learn about the social life of workers. Interviewing could be structured, unstructured, or semi-structured. In most cases, however, these are combined for more informative data gathering." (Ehigie and Ehigie, 20-05) Interviewing in qualitative research is described as "flexible and dynamic, and is therefore described as in-depth interviewing." (Ehigie and Ehigie, 2005)

Management Theory

Robert Owen and Charles Babbage are reported to have serious examined management theory. Owen's ideas were derived from his ownership of a cotton mill in Scotland and his interest in the well-being of 400 to 500 children employed by the mill. Owen published his pamphlet 'A New Vision of Society' in 1813 in which his idea of society was described and Owen additionally was very active in bringing about improved living conditions for his employees by implementing housing, sanitation, public works and school programs. It was Owen's belief that character was determined by circumstances and that early education combined with environment was critically a part of the formation of good character.

Babbage was held to be the 'father of the modern computer' as he performed the fundamental research upon which the first mechanical calculator was developed as well as developing an 'analytical engine'