Foundation of Management for Scientific Management Theory

Question: Discuss about theFoundation of Management for Scientific Management Theory. Answer: Introduction: Many arguments have been made against the principle of scientific management theory that is, one way to manage (Waring, 2016). The contradictory theory has been introduced that is known as the contingency theory against this principle. This essay argues about the aspects of contingency theory that are against this statement of one way to manage and also about the supportive argument with the principles of scientific management theory. ManagementTheories: There are different management theories that are being introduced by theorists in order to analyze the different behavior of the organization to management the processes (Lpez, 2014). Evolution of management brings evolution in these theories as well. One of the theories is scientific management theory given by Taylor. This theory focuses on integrating engineering in organizational processes and operations (Jeffcutt, 2008). This theory suggests that science should be involved in the process by implementing technological innovations in the operations of the organization in order to enhance the efficiency of working. On the contrary, contingency theory has also been introduced which suggests that the technique and the process used to conduct an operation depends on the situation (Raduan, Jegak, Haslinda and Alimin, 2009). That means the organization should consider the situation before deciding the approach of managing the same. Arguments: Only One Way to Manage The scientific management theory suggests that there is one best way to management. The first aspect of this theory suggests that management of the organization can be done only by using a single best way. If an organization engages in mass production, it is required to set a single way or process because every activity of mass production should be done in series that cannot be changes again and again (Higgins, Silverman and Washio, 2008). This theory also argues about standardization (Armstrong and Taylor, 2014). Standardization means similarity in the management approaches. There should be standard processes that need to be used in the organization that brings stability and thus helps in managing efficiently. Using only one way to manage brings standardization in all the processes of the organization and it becomes easy for the company to manage the same. This is because managing the change in the organization at every level is the challenge for the mangers of the companies. As dis cussed that scientific theory deal with standard and scientific procedure for managing the company, it signifies that the efficiency of workers remain constant all the time (Pryor, Taneja, Humphreys, Anderson and Singleton, 2008). One way to manage helps in bringing the consistency in the process and thus the efficiency of the workers as well. This is because the process of working is standard every time. It becomes easy for the management of the organizations also to deal with every situation and to handle the employees as they need not to consider the situation and just need to implement the standard pre decided process to resolve the issue. The theory of contingency is based on situation and suggests that situation is the basis of management and there cannot be a similar way that can be used every time. This theory believes that there is no one way to manage. (Bratton and Gold, 2012). Every organization has many employees that work for the same purpose. Difference in individual also leads to difference in the thinking process. Thus, it is not possible for the management to deal with every situation with the same method of technique of management. (Marquis and Huston, 2009). It is the fact that every organization faces different situation and have different business environment. Thus, it is not possible for each and every organization to follow the same approach of management. No one way to manage helps in bringing change and innovation in the organization as per the situation. It is not mandatory that only a single process of management can resolve the issue of every type. The structure of different organizations is dif ferent. Some believes in formal approach while some believes in informal approach (Woods, 2009). The basis of the organizational structure determined the management approach of the organization. It is very essential for the organizations to maintain the balance between the approaches they are using to manage and the structure of the organization, this is because they cant be contradictory to each other. There are various theories introduced by the theorists regarding the management but it depends on the structure of their organization that what criteria they need to follow according to the situation because situation is a very major part to be considered in resolving any issue. Conclusion: The above discussion suggests that some believes in the fact that there is only one way to manage because it brings standardization to the company and also helps in managing the employees with similar process. This results in mass production and efficiency in the workers as the obstacle of change is not being faced by them. On the contrary, the contingency theory says that there is no one way to manage, this is because situation are the major part that needs to be considered before making any decisions. Every organization has different structure and environment thus, managing the entire situation according to the same management technique is not possible. References: Lpez, J.A.P., 2014.Foundations of management. Ediciones Rialp. Jeffcutt, P. ed., 2008.The foundations of management knowledge(Vol. 10). Routledge. Raduan, C.R., Jegak, U., Haslinda, A. and Alimin, I.I., 2009. Management, strategic management theories and the linkage with organizational competitive advantage from the resource-based view.European Journal of Social Sciences,11(3), pp.402-418. Shafritz, J.M., Ott, J.S. and Jang, Y.S., 2015.Classics of organization theory. Cengage Learning. Bratton, J. and Gold, J., 2012.Human resource management: theory and practice. Palgrave Macmillan. Marquis, B.L. and Huston, C.J., 2009.Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application. Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Woods, M., 2009. A contingency theory perspective on the risk management control system within Birmingham City Council.Management Accounting Research,20(1), pp.69-81. Higgins, S.T., Silverman, K. and Washio, Y., 2008. Contingency management. InThe American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment, 4th Edition. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S., 2014.Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers. Pryor, M.G., Taneja, S., Humphreys, J., Anderson, D. and Singleton, L., 2008. Challenges facing change management theories and research.Delhi Business Review,9(1), pp.1-20. Taylor, F.W., 2004.Scientific management. Routledge. Waring, S.P., 2016.Taylorism transformed: Scientific management theory since 1945. UNC Press Books.