Padm 501 Midterm Paper

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Organization theory deals with the formal structure, internal workings, and external environment of complex human behavior within organizations (Milakovich & Gordon, p 145). Frederick W. Taylor’s (1856-1915) developed the “scientific management theory” which this careful specification all the organizational tasks. His main focus was on tasks. “Tasks were standardized as much as possible. When it came to this theory workers were punished and rewarded. This approach appeared to work well for organizations with assembly lines and other mechanistic, routinized activities.”(Carter McNamara, 2009) Also, Taylor was known as the “father of management thought.” He developed four principles to increase efficiency in the workplace based on his own experience and observations as a manufacturing manager (George, 2009, p.43). “According to Taylor, management needed to do three things to increase productivity (and thus profits). First, the most efficient tools and procedures had to be developed and applied. Here, Taylor relied on so called time and motion studies, which concentrated on identifying the most economical set of physical movement associated with each step of a work process. Second, in teaching the new techniques to workers, emphasis was to be placed on standardizing procedures in order to enable workers to discharge their responsibilities routinely yet efficiently. Third, criteria that emphasized task related capabilities needed to be developed for, and applied to, the worker selection process.” (Milakovich & Gorden, p. 150) Max Weber (1864-1920) was born into a wealthy family, he became a sociologist, consultant to government, editor, and author. His main focus was on the organization structure, which he felt that workers should respect the right of managers to direct activities dictated by organizational the rules and procedures. “Weber believed that

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