Change triggers emotional reaction because of the uncertainty involved, and most Organisational change efforts run into some form of employee resistance. Resistance to change can be overcome by education and communication, participation and involvement, facilitation and support, negotiation and rewards, and coercion and manipulation. Kotter and Schlesinger set out the following six change approaches to deal with this resistance to change: Education and Communication — Where there is a lack of information or inaccurate information and analysis. One of the best ways to overcome resistance to change is to educate people about the change effort beforehand. Up-front communication and education helps employees see the logic in the change effort. this reduces unfounded and incorrect rumors concerning the effects of change in the organization. Participation and Involvement — Where the initiators do not have all the information they need to design the change and where others have considerable power to resist. Continue reading
Management Theories
Elton Mayo’s Hawthorne Experiment and It’s Contributions to Management
The term “Hawthorne” is a term used within several behavioral management theories and is originally derived from the western electric company’s large factory complex named Hawthorne works. Starting in 1905 and operating until 1983, Hawthorne works had 45,000 employees and it produced a wide variety of consumer products, including telephone equipment, refrigerators and electric fans. As a result, Hawthorne works is well-known for its enormous output of telephone equipment and most importantly for its industrial experiments and studies carried out. Hawthorne Experiment by Elton Mayo In 1927, a group of researchers led by Elton Mayo and Fritz Roethlisberger of the Harvard Business School were invited to join in the studies at the Hawthorne Works of Western Electric Company, Chicago. The experiment lasted up to 1932. The Hawthorne Experiment brought out that the productivity of the employees is not the function of only physical conditions of work and money wages paid Continue reading
Management Principles: Principle of Bureaucracy
According to the name bureaucracy theory was evolved by the German sociologist Max Weber (1864-1920). The principle of bureaucracy is based upon hierarchy of authority and web of rules and relations. It visualizes a machine model of organisation characterized by impersonal control over human beings. Characteristics of Principle of Bureaucracy A well-defined hierarchy of authority with clear lines of authority and control and responsibility concentrated at the top of the hierarchy. A high degree of specialization. A division of work based on functional departmentalization. A system of rules covering the rights and duties of employees. A definite system of procedures for dealing with the work situation and “rationally” coordinating activities. A centralized system of written documents (“the files”) for collecting and summarizing the activities of the organisation. Impersonality of relationships between employees. Recruitment of managers on the basis of ability and technical knowledge. The bureaucracy, or “bureaucratic model,” was one Continue reading
Organizational Performance – Meaning, Definition and Measures
Managers are concerned with organizational performance–the accumulated end results of all the organization’s work processes and activities. It’s a complex but important concept, and managers need to understand the factors that contribute to high organizational performance. After all, they don’t want (or intend) to manage their way to mediocre performance. They want their organizations, work units, or work groups to achieve high levels of performance, no matter what mission, strategies, or goals are being pursued. Managers measure and control organizational performance because it leads to better asset management, to an increased ability to provide customer value, and to improved measures of organizational knowledge. In addition, measures of organizational performance do have an impact on an organization’s reputation. Managers at high-performing companies do–they manage the organizational assets in ways that exploit their value. Asset management is the process of acquiring, managing, renewing, and disposing of assets as needed, and of designing Continue reading
The Behavioral Science Approach to Management
The behavioral science approach to management focuses on the psychological and sociological processes (attitude, motivations, group dynamics) that influence employee performance. While the classical approach focuses on the job of workers, the behavioral approach focuses on the workers in these jobs. Workers desisted the formal and impersonal approach of classical writers. Behavioral approach started in 1930. This gave rise to the Behavioral science approach to management. Two branches contributed to the Behavioral approach. Human Relations Movements: The human relations movement refers to the approach to management and worker productivity that takes into account a person’s motivation, satisfaction, and relationship with others in the workplace. The human relations movement grew from the Hawthorne studies. Development of Organisational Behavior: Pioneers of the human relation movement stressed inter-personal relations and neglected the group behavior patterns. This led to the development of field of organisational behavior. It respects a more. Interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional approach Continue reading
Components of Learning Process
Learning is an important psychological process that-determines human behavior. Learning can be defined as “relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs as a result of experience or reinforced practice”. There are four important points in the definition of learning: Learning involves a change in behavior, though this change is not necessarily an improvement over previous behavior. Learning generally has the connotation of improved behavior, but bad habits, prejudices, stereotypes, and work restrictions are also learned. The, behavioral change must be relatively permanent. Any temporary change in behavior is not a part of learning. The behavioral change must be based oh some form of practice or experience. The practice or experience must be reinforced in order so as to facilitate learning to occur. The components of learning process are: drive, cue stimuli, response, reinforcement and retention. Drive: Learning frequently occurs in the presence of drive – any strong stimulus that impels Continue reading