The theories and the underlying aspects which have determined our current management and leadership systems and processes have gone through several changes and developments for centuries. Those who have been actively involved in determining the processes required to achieve a common goal between employers and employees have incorporated both studies of management as a science and management as an art. Do you know why you do what you do?

1. Historical
Background on
Management
Theory
Lisa MacLeod
15 August 2014

2. Why is this relevant?
The theories and the underlying aspects which
have determined our current management
and leadership systems and processes have
gone through several changes and
developments for centuries. Those who have
been actively involved in determining the
processes required to achieve a common goal
between employers and employees have
incorporated both studies of management as a
science and management as an art. Do you
know why you do what you do?

3. The Pre-Classical Era
At this period of time, management styles were
shaped based on:
• economical
• social
• political
• technical aspects
The Pre-Classical Era is broadly defined as the ability
to “…view management as an activity that performs
certain functions to obtain the effective acquisition,
allocation and utilization of human efforts and
physical resources to accomplish some goal.”
(Wren, 2005, p. 3)

4. Pre-Classical Era:
Cultural Beliefs and Values
China dependent on:
• Politics
• Social rank
• Tests determined the rank
(Wren, 2005)

5. Pre-Classical Era:
Cultural Beliefs and Values
India dependent on:
• Job descriptions
• Qualifications
• Human Resource Representative
(Wren, 2005)

6. Pre-Classical Era:
Cultural Beliefs and Values
Egypt dependent on:
• The theory of 10
• Stringent to conformity
• Each Supervisor had 10 workers
(Wren, 2005)

7. Pre-Classical Era:
Cultural Beliefs and Values
Greece dependent on:
• The common belief that hard work
would only bring happiness and
prosperity.
(Wren, 2005)

8. The Classical Era
Fredrick Taylor designed Scientific Management
Theory that was to benefit both the laborer and the
company by increasing production and providing
more social benefits for the employees. This era
focused on:
• The natural soldier
• Empowering and inspire to perform
• Achieve a standard
The Classical Era or also known as the Scientific Era
was because it was”…to use scientific fact finding
methods to determine empirically the right was to
perform tasks.”
(Wren, 2005, p. 124)

9. The Classical Era:
The Believers and Followers
Gant focused on:
• The individual
• Helped those who were not capable
• Created a collaborative atmosphere
• Introduced graphics by making posters to
demonstrate achievements
(Kouzes, 2003)

10. The Classical Era:
The Believers and Followers
Emerson based the natural soldier on a
system:
• Twelve principles
• The first five were directly related to the
people
• The latter seven were directly related to the
methods in which the work was done
(Kouzes, 2003)

11. The Classical Era:
The Believers and Followers
Cooke focused on work efficiency and:
• Developed professionalism
• Provided workers the social human benefits
• Organized structures
• Created good relations between the
workers and management
(Kouzes, 2003)

12. The Modernism Era
The Modernism Era or the Social Person Era
consisted of several studies. The popular
Hawthorn studies had two studies in
particular that produced contrasting results
which concluded in the idea that a mixture of
management styles are necessary based on
the situation or organization that is to be
managed.
(Kouzes, 2003)

13. The Modernism Era:
Folliett and Bernard
• Mary Folliett linked the Scientific Management Era and the
Social Person Era. Follett’s theories were based on the circular
response or group organization. The group was then to work
towards a common vision ad the group was to think as one
therefore putting the group first and the individual second.
• Chester Bernard shared the same ideas about management
and leadership. The main components were cooperation, a
common purpose and effective communication and
leadership. This was to be regarded as combining production
and people. Group orientated techniques were utilized and
hidden talents and techniques of the individuals were
discovered.
(Kouzes, 2003; Wren, 2005)

14. The Post-Modern Era
The Post-Modern Era is regarded as a period of
time that can not be examined in detail due to
the extensive areas that have been identified.
However, the Modern Era can be divided into
areas of research by:
• Henri Fayol
• Lillian Gilber
• Mary Follett
(Wren, 2005)

15. The Post-Modern Era
The main concepts adapted and modified from
the Modern Era are:
• The systematization
• Information technology
• Business ethics
• Corporate social responsibility
• Global cross-cultural issues related to
management thought
(Gardner, 1990)

16. What will our era be?
Even though all these systems have been explored and
presented, we as leaders and as managers are
currently creating our new thoughts of management.
Due to our time of constant change in which we are
involved, navigating change will be the balance
between management and leadership and today’s
leader will capitalize on current events. Eventually,
this will determine how we see things and will
demonstrate what we fundamentally believe in.
(Clemmer, 2003)

17. References:
Clemmer, J. (2003). The Leader's Digest: Timeless
Principles for Team and Organization Success.
Kitchener: Clemmer Group Press.
Gardner, J. (1990). On leadership. New York: The
Free Press.
Kouzes, J. (2003). Business Leadership: A Jossey
Bass Reader. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons
Inc.
Wren, D. (2005), The history of management
thought, 5th Edition. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley
& Sons Inc.