Let’s Check!

Activity 1. For group discussion, you need to prepare a PowerPoint presentation about
the evolution of management theory.

Activity 2. Draw a timeline about the evolution of management theory and state the
details about these theories.

Classical standardization, job

Neo-classical
HUMAN RELATIONS
Management MOVEMENT
Theory BEHAVIORAL
MOVEMENT
(1920 - 1950)

Modern QUANTITATIVE
Management APPROACH
SYSTEMS APPROACH
Theory SITUATIONAL
APPROACH
(1950 - Present)

Let’s Analyze!
Activity 1. Answer the following questions.
1. Why do many organizations still use the classical management principle?
Classical Management Principle may be from a century ago but it does not
mean that its principle is no longer useful. In fact, this principle is still relevant in
today’s organizations including the administrative and scientific management
principles. For example, managers today are still offered training and additional
education to hone their skills in management, and this idea of training managers
stemmed from Henri Fayol’s administrative management principle.
 2. How can be improved, updated the management theory, training, and practice
using recent scientific discoveries?
Scientific methods include case studies and survey research. With these
studies, there are more people that are heard in terms of their opinion and
experiences at work. The data extracted from these studies are then used to
teach managers how to deal with their employees more effectively. For me,
scientific method is one way into understanding the perspective of these
employees.
3. Do we need management in the digital age? What management theory is related
to Industry 4.0 or the 4th revolution?
Of course, management is vital even in the digital age. In fact, I think
management is needed more in the digital age because that act of managing
now extends into the digital world e.g. social media. Without a doubt, the
management theory that is related to Industry 4.0 or the 4 th revolution is the
mathematical approach of modern management theory. The current revolution in
the digital field allowed the creation of various mathematical algorithms e.g.
software and programs to aid managers in their decision-making.
In a Nutshell
The discussion above stated about the evolution of management and its principle. In
this activity, you need to make an essay about if you will become an engineer manager
in 10 years, what principle will apply in handling your people?
If I would become an engineering manager in 10 years, I would take away the
beneficial segments of all the management theories as much as I can. In classical
management theory, I would take away its systematic approach in order to simplify and
organize the work processes within the group that I will be leading. For example, I would
lend training and education to the engineers in order to enhance their skills for us to hit
our target more effectively and efficiently.
In the human relations and behavioral movement, I would certainly take away the
relations approach in order to build trust between me and my group and that we can
work together more comfortable and without prejudice and distrust. For example, I
would attempt to have breakfast, lunch or dinner with my group for at least once a week.
This simple gesture or act of bonding will have a great impact towards our teamwork
and even to our friendship outside work.
Lastly, in the modern management theory, I would take away its situational
approach. With the systematic approach and relations approach already cemented in
our group, we can now start to build situational approaches to different situations for us
to be more adaptive and flexible under tough times and challenges.