Question

Management theories can sometimes seem a little esoteric, but they underlie the way we approach each management topic. Select three of the following management topics (strategic planning, control systems, managing diversity, performance appraisal, organizational change) and explain how each builds upon or uses the perspective of at least two management theories (options: Fredrick Taylor, Henry Gantt, Max Weber, Henri Fayol, Mary Parker Follett, Elton Mayo, and Chester Barnard). You can use a management theory more than once, but be sure to define or describe each theory you use.

Answer 1

Applying management theories to three selected topics - performance appraisal, organisational change and managing diversity.

Performance appraisal: The outcomes of the work conducted are calculated with pre-set targets in a periodic management method. The performance review results in awards or penalties, the opportunity to change and the development of new goals for the future. To ensure a timely and realistic performance review, the managers employ structure and resources like balance scorecards, main performance metrics, 360-degret evaluations, etc. The aim of performance evaluations is not only to evaluate the employee's work and analysis of productivity and quality but also to understand what factors affect the work. Some theories of management can help to explain this.

• Maslow's Needs Hierarchy Theory: Abraham Maslow has established five sets of needs or priorities, which can not be resolved until previous criteria are met. The physiological needs of human beings throughout the lifespan become less significant once they have accomplished them. The protection needs are the next step that motivates love and belonging. Such needs have been met, but only through self-realization and intellectual needs are they replaced with reverence for achievement and fameIn performance evaluations, this principle can be used to evaluate the level of motivation currently in which employees are participating and what steps are to be taken to address their needs in order to enhance their performance.
• Two factor hygiene and motivation theory: Frederick Herzberg indicates that success is dependent on two kinds of factors. Monetary incentives and the workforce alone can not motivate employees, rather, the true motivating factors are intrinsic factors like career growth, recognition and genuine interest in the job.

​​​Managing diversity: Workforce has become specialized and diversified with organizations and supply chains becoming global. Diversity as commonly understood may be color, nationality, sex or religion. Diversity may also involve skills, religion, sexual orientation, form of personalities, etc. in contemporary organisations. The complexity of systems, the essence of work and the identity of brand contributes to diversity. Diversity can be a liability for organizations if not properly handled. Some of the ideas that can be used to enhance comprehension and diversity management are:

• Hofstede's theory of cultural diversity dimensions:Gertrude Hofstede has studied staff of IBM and technologies in an organization to evaluate and manage the diversity. Theory classifies the workers into three dimensions: masculinity versus femininity, risk avoidance, and exposure to power systems depending on their ethnicity and culture. If the workers are evaluated in this way, the management may prepare and develop policies which are in line with the needs of national culture and diversity.
• Carl Jung's theory of personality types: Diversity may also be characteristic of the company. By analyzing attitudes (introvert, extrovert), feeling versus thought aspect, and emotion versus intuition, Jung identified personality styles. This system helps managers to schedule and coordinate their teams and activities on the basis of employee personality style.

​​Organisational Change: An organizational change is caused by examination and modification of organizational structure, methods or business processes. Changes, long or immediate, drastic or gradual may be expected or emerging; they may be inevitable because of economic conditions or technical development or internal conditions. Resistance and perturbation also follow changes. Therefore, change with minimal damage is necessary to handle. Some of the management theories that help manage change effectively are:

• Lewin's 3-stage model : Kurt Lewin indicated that there would be 3 separate phases in the management of transition-freezing, shift and re-freezing. The unfreezing phase is one in which managers or changers are told that business is not normal and that the status quo will only lead to failure. New structures, techniques and methods are used to incorporate improvements in the second step. The third stage of freezing is the full implementation of the reforms and the creation of new standards.
• Kotter's 8 steps to leading change: In order to manage changes, Kotter proposed an eight-step model which lists the process of changing step by step. The eight steps are: creating a sense of urgency; creating a coalition; building a strategic vision. Mobilize an Army of the Volunteers. eliminate barriers.