Discuss the history of bureaucratic and administrative manag

Discuss the history of bureaucratic and administrative management.

Solution

1. History of Bureaucratic Management:

There was time before 1800 when the organisations operated like a family. Supervisors, workers and employees did not have proper defined work. Every one did everything. During late 1800, Max Weber brought about changes in this system of organisational operation. He believed that having an informal organisation decreases the productivity of the employees as they are not focussed and goal-driven.

Max Weber created the idea of bureaucratic management which made the organisation more rigid, authorative and structured. He believed that employees do not follow the organisation but they follow their bosses. He defined supervisors and workers role properly. The workers were supposed to take their immediate bosses orders and cannot operate beyond that capacity.

Max Weber\'s theory of bureaucratic management has two important elements. First, it involves structuring an organization into a hierarchy system. Secondly, the organization as well as its employees operate through clearly defined rational-legal decision-making rules. Both the elements help the organisation to achieve its goals.

2. History of Administrative Mangement

During 1900, the management expert Jules Henri Fayol, came to the conclusion that management is an activity that is followed by all the human undertakings. Management is needed at school, housework, business, government services, etc. All these human undertakings need five basic administrative functions to operate. They are:

i. Planning

ii. Organizing

iii. Commanding

iv. Coordinating

v. Controlling

Henri Fayol rejected the notion that \"Managers are born and not made.\" Instead he believed that management is a skill that can be developed over the time through proper training and enthusiasm. Managemnt skills can be acquired if its principles are understood.

Henri Fayol was of the belief that since management is an all-encompassing activity, the management skills should be taught in schools, colleges and universities.