Midterm Essay: Classical Organizational Theory
Liberty University
February 5, 2014
Midterm Essay: Classical Organizational Theory
"Classical Organizational Theory deals with the 'systematic processes necessary to make bureaucracy more efficient and effective.' Name three scholars that are credited with the development of classical organization thought that most correctly fit into this definition of Classical Organizational Theory. What were the basic arguments articulated by each in their contributions to the development of Classical Organizational Theory?"
Classical organizational theory supports two views. Scientific management which focuses on managing work and employees and administrative management which addresses issues which affects the how the organization should be structured. (Classical School of Management, 2011). There are a few contributors to the classical organizational theory, Frederick Taylor focused on scientific management and Henri Fayol, Max Weber and Luther Gulick are known for the their theories on the administrative management portion.
Frederick Taylor was born on March 20. 1856 in Pennsylvania, after his studies in Europe he had plans of attending Harvard but did not pass the entrance exams. Taylor instead worked as a pattern maker at a pump manufacturing company in Philadelphia. His techniques and managerial practices were adopted in the United States and the world in the 20th century. His principles of management emphasized the control of work processes and careful planning by managers. However, his original ideas did not support the exploitation of workers (Kanigal, 1997, pp.492-495). Taylor credits Lucian Sharpe because of his focus, concentration and commitment to task. John Griffith who taught Taylor how to appreciate, respect and admire working mechanic. Taylor later began to focus on time and motion studies to learn how