Classical School of Management

Essay from the year 2013 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, course: Management and Entrepreneurship, language: English, abstract: The classical principle (school) of management has evolved for a number of years. The main assumption underpinning this school of thought is the fact that people are rational and as such are motivated by their economic aspirations. The classical viewpoint of management can be divided into three parts: Scientific Management, Administrative School and Bureaucratic Management. The proponents of scientific management believe that scientific method can be used to define the "e;one best way"e; for a job to be done. The main proponents were Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, Frederick Winslow Taylor and Henry L. Gantt. The proponents of the Administrative School (Bureaucratic Management) were Max Weber and Henri Fayol. Over the years this school of management has contributed immensely in ensuring effective management of organization. some of the contribution are: I. Highlights the need for a scientific approach to management. II. Points out that work methods often can be improved through study. III. Identifies a number of important principles that are useful in running organization efficiently. But recently the assumption underpinning this school of thought has be recognized as irrelevant to today's organization- for instance the classical theorists conception of organizations as a mechanical devices to achieve organization's goals and objectives are contrary to the conception of today s organizations.