-
Scientific Management
Frederick Taylor decided to time workers at the Midvale Steel Company for their rated output. It improved management by producing ideas such as employee training and increased production capacity. -
The Hawthorne Studies
Elton Mayo became the first to question the behavioral assumptions of scientific management which concluded that human factors were often more important than physical conditions in motivating employees to be more productive. It helped management because it found that employees worked harder when they were in a good environment and good conditions while also being heard. -
Organization Development
Social scientist, Kurt Lewin launches the Research Center for Group Dynamics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His contributions in change theory, action research, and action learning earn him the title of the “Father of Organization Development:” the systematic application of behavioral science knowledge at various levels (group, intergroup, and total organization) to bring about planned change. It helped to persuade employees to develop change and increase communication. -
Sociotechnical Systems Theory
A group of researchers from London's Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, led by Eric Trist, studied a South Yorkshire coal mine in 1949. Their research leads to the development of the Sociotechnical Systems Theory, which considers both the social and the technical aspects when designing jobs. It marks a 180-degree departure from Frederick Taylor's scientific management. It allowed people to work with technology to benefit the community and management. -
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory is published in his book Motivation and Personality. This provides a framework for gaining employees' commitment. -
Leadership / Management
Peter Drucker writes The Practice of Management and introduces the five basic roles of managers: Setting Objectives and Planning,
Organizing the Group, Motivating and Communicating, Measuring Performance, Developing People. -
Theory X and Theory Y
Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y principles influence the design and implementation of personnel policies and practices. It explained the importance of increased management, rewards, and punishments. -
Learning Organization
Peter Senge popularized the Learning Organization in The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. He describes the organization as an organism with the capacity to enhance its capabilities and shape its own future. A learning organization is an organization that understands itself as a complex, organic system that has a vision and purpose. It uses feedback systems and alignment mechanisms to achieve its goals. It values teams and leadership throughout the ranks. -
Business Process Management (BPM)
This is actually a slow advance in process management that has the following roots: Record Management, Workflow, Business Process Re-engineering, Business Process Management. It helped management by making the productivity of a task more efficent. -
Drive Theory
While the concept of Drive-in motivational theories has been around since the early 1900s and was researched in depth by Edward L. Deci, Daniel Pink popularized the concept with his book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. It improved management by helping them figure out what motivated their employees to improve productivity in a workplace.