Essay Assignment Papers – West and Gordon Centric Theory of Management & Fayol’s Five Functions of management
Learning Activity
A challenge for the manager in the 21st century is to merge the traditional functions of a manager with the new demands of workplace life. The change of value regarding human resources to the organization coupled with technology is shifting the design of organizations toward “boundaryless” or a flat organizational structure. In this theme we examine Fayol’s Five Functions of management as well as the 14 lesser functions of management upon which most management roles are based today, and how they are bumping up against the constructs of new 21st century management theory and technology to create tension in the workplace.
In a recent conversation at lunch West and Gordon were once again facing off over the idea of changing the Production Department to include a new people- centric theory of management. Gordon would like to see staff be given time to do paperwork at home or to be given a computer center space where they can log in their weekly statistics, requests, and general paperwork during set work hours. This would allow less overtime and make workers happier and potentially prevent a government citation for overtime. West replied, “Fayol would tell you that employees need strong task and time-centered management. Workers can do tasks on their own time if they do not get the work done on ours. Fayol would have no patience for human resource theory. It doesn’t belong in a production line. It may be okay for Google but not here.”
- Is West correct?
- Do today’s management theories not work for the manufacturing business? Explain how Gordon should reply to West. Be sure to explain Fayol’s Five Functions of Management and how these functions have been expanded over the years to include staffing.
- Also discuss how technology has changed the workplace to allow for worker preferences and flexibility.
- Why would Google be okay with new theory and technology and not Biotech (difference between the service and manufacturing purpose of business)?
Respond to the following Essay Assignment Papers – West and Gordon Centric Theory of Management & Fayol’s Five Functions of management with positive, referenced comments
POST 1
There are many fallacies in Mr. West’s argument. His assessment of Fayol’s functions of management is distorted. Fayol formulated a practical list of principles to help teach managers how to organize and interact with their employees in a productive way. Therefore, his stand on not modifying his current management system is based on an incorrect interpretation of Fayol’s model. Fayol encouraged positive and effective interactions with organizations personnel, in order to control and plan production. Fayol argued management must encourage and direct personnel’s activity and ensure personnel work together in a cooperative fashion (Krenn, 2017). West noted that Fayol would have no patience for the human resource theory and while Fayol did preach management control, not that that effect. Ensuring human and other corporate resources are being used in the most effective and efficient way possible to achieve corporate objectives is not how West is currently managing (Lumen Learning, n.d.).
Today’s management theories can still be applicable for the manufacturing business. Gordon should explain the evolution in Fayol’s functions of management. His explanation should cover that there is a difference between managing and leading and that embracing the human aspect of the organization is essential to function. Gordon should note that West’s current 20th century style of management should not be eliminated entirely however, modified to appropriately, just at Fayol’s theory has. Gordon should encourage West to effectively utilize Biotech’s resources (Lumen Learning, n.d.). In order for West to carry out his duty as manager he must learn to efficiently allocate the organizations financial, technological and natural resources, in addition to deploying and handling human resources (Lumen Learning, n.d.). If Gordon could explain how even Fayol’s theory expanded to include staffing, maybe West will adapt!
Essay Assignment Papers – West and Gordon Centric Theory of Management & Fayol’s Five Functions of management
Technological advancements has granted employers, like Biotech, to offer more flexible working arrangements in the form of flextime and telecommuting Lumen Learning, n.d.). Flextime and telecommuting are strategies that will enable employees like Gordon, to set their own schedules and work from wherever is most convenient for them. While building a strong virtual team and maintain relationships between employees may pose as challenges, the push to a more healthy work-life balance will encourage productivity and creativity of Biotech’s employees (Lumen Learning, n.d).
Organizational design is dictated by a variety of factors, including the size of the company, the diversity of the organization‘s operations, and the environment in which it operates (Lumen Learning, n.d.). Therefore, Google would be quick and fluent to adapt to new changes in managerial theories and technology rather than Biotech. This is because Google is already operating in a technologically advanced environment making changes to teleworking would be easier to manage and facilitate. Unlike Biotech, that is considerably smaller, less familiar with technological advancements as its focus is predominately manufacturing so the resources for introducing new technology is just not as developed in comparison.
References
Krenn, J. (2017, May 16). Management Theory of Henri Fayol. Bussiness.com. Retrieved from https://www.business.com/articles/management-theory-of-henri-fayol/
Lumen Learning. (n.d). Factors to Consider in Organizational Design. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-management/chapter/factors-to-consider-in-organizational-design/
Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-management/chapter/principles-of-management/
Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Trends in Organization. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-management/chapter/trends-in-organization/
POST 2
– Mr. West is absolutely correct. If Mr. Gordon gives the employees more freedom to do their work, for example teleworking, that will only benefit the employees, which will keep the employees happy and wanting to work for Mr. Gordon. As long as Mr. Gordon keeps structure in the work place, then the employees having to spend less time in the office will be fine. He just needs to make sure to keep control and authority in the work environment. According to the section “Principles of Management, the characteristics of control are; a continuous process, a management process, embedded in each level of organizational hierarchy, forward-looking, closely linked with planning, a tool for achieving organizational activities, and an end process (courses.lumenlearning, unknown). I think if Gordon gives the employees more freedom and control on how and where they want to work than the employees will become happier and the business will be come more successful.
-I think today’s management theories do work for the manufacturing business. Although I believable the two work well together I also think it is important to give the employees more power. According to the section “Defining Leadership”, power is defined as “The ability to influence the behavior of others, with or without resistance” (courses.lumenleaning, unknown). The more power employees have the more it motivates the employees to get more work done and strive for their best when they are at work.
I think in this situation Gordon should respond to West by making it clear to him that he is the manager, but by also understand and listening to what West says and really taking his thoughts into consideration. I think if the two work together, Gordon’s experience and West’s new innovating ideas will make them be extremely successful.
Essay Assignment Papers – West and Gordon Centric Theory of Management & Fayol’s Five Functions of management
Henri Fayol’s Five Functions of Management are planning, organizing, commanding, and controlling. These five functions are major factors in how a business will either fail or succeed. They are the core structure in a company. Over the years the five functions have remained the same but things have changed. In today’s world the “Process of Staffing Function management” is now a huge part in managing a business. There are 10 major steps, which are; man power planning, recruitment, selection, placing, training, development, promotion, transfer, appraisal, and determination of remuneration (yourarticlelibrary.com, unknown). Over time researchers have learning that these 6 functions are very important in the successful turn out in a business.
-With today’s advances in technology the way things work and how they thing can be accomplished has drastically changed. For example because of technology in today’s world, employees can be teleworkers, face time to have conference calls or meetings, and even allows employees to completely work from home.
-Google would be okay with new theories and technology and not biotech because google is solely dependent on internet and technology. Google is and will always be willing and striving to find new ways to become more innovative and discover new technology advances for today’s world and work environments all around the globe.
Reference:
Principles of Management. (unknown). Retrieved from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-management/chapter/principles-of-management/
Creating Strategy: Common Approaches. (unknown). Retrieved from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-management/chapter/creating-strategy-common-approaches/
Defining Leadership. (unknown). Retrieved From
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-management/chapter/defining-leadership/
Process of Staffing Function Management. (unknown). Retrieved from
Essay Assignment Papers – West and Gordon Centric Theory of Management & Fayol’s Five Functions of management