Table Of Contents
2. EVOLUTION OF MANAGEMENT
THEORIES
Pre-classical Management Theory
Classical Management Theory
Neo- Classical Management Theory
Modern Management Theory
5. REFERENCES
1. INTRODUCTION 4. CONCLUSION
3. APPLICATION OF EVOLUTION
OF MANAGEMENT IN KENYA
Introduction
Evolution - is a continuous and gradual process of change that
1 occurs over time.
Management - is a process of getting work or
a task done that is required for achieving the goals
2 of an organisation in an efficient and effective
manner
Evolution of management - refers to the historical
3 development & progression of theories, principles and
practices related to managing organization and people. It
encompasses the various stages, changes & advancements in
managerial thought & application over time.
The aim of evolution of management thought is to help
determine management principles and practices work best
for a team and an organization. It also helps one to manage a
team and a workplace be more effective.
EVOLUTION OF MANAGEMENT THEORIES
Objectives of management theories is to help one study an organization, its corporate
design, structures and behaviour of individuals. The management theories provide a lens
to address critical questions about how a business works or operations by studying the
impacts of internal and external business environments.
PRE-CLASSICAL MANAGEMENT (18TH Century) CLASSICAL MANAGEMENT (18th – 19th ) century
Professor Charles Babbage Scientific Management
Robert Owens Bureaucratic Management
Administrative Management
Charles Babbage Frederick Taylor
THEORIES
Modern Management(1960 – Till Date)
Neo-Classical Management(1930 -1960)
Quantitative Approach Behavioral Science
Approach
System Approach
Human relations
P.R approach
Contingency Approach Abraham Maslow
Lawrence
1 PRE-CLASSICAL MANAGEMENT THEORY
This theory took place in the 18th century and it had a significant impact on management as whole. Through this
theory, businesses and individuals were able to change how they raised capital, organized labour and how goods
were produced. It also helped entrepreneurs’ access to all the factors of production such as land, labour, and
capital. Below personalities made notable contribution towards this theory.
Professor Charles Babbage Robert Owens
United Kingdom (1729- 1871) United Kingdom
A renowned professor in Mathematics He was regarded as the personnel
discovered that manufacturers were management because of his approach
relying on guesswork and suggestions. & focus on employee welfare. He
He urged them to utilize mathematics introduced co-operation and trade
and science to be more accurate and unions, believed employee’s welfare
productive. could determine their performance to a
large extent.
2 CLASSICAL MANAGEMENT THEORY
During this period, the management thought was focused on job content, standardization, division Administrative
of labour and a scientific approach towards the organization. It was discovered in the 18th and 19th century Management
and includes three streams of thought which include; by Fayol (1841 -1925)
Scientific Management
Bureaucracy Management by Frederick Taylor
by Max Weber (1856 -1913)
(1864 -1920)
This theory focuses on principles that could
be used by managers to coordinate the
internal activities of organizations. Henry Fayol
F.W. Taylor is considered as ‘the father of also known as the ‘father of modern
scientific management’. He emphasized on management theory’ gave a new perception of
need for developing a scientific way of the concept of management. He introduced a
Weber was a German Sociologist and an academician who performing each job, training & preparing general theory that can be applied to all levels
believed that bureaucracy was the most efficient way to set workers to perform a particular job and of management and every department.
up and manage an organization and absolutely necessary for establishing harmonious relations between According to him, business operations of an
larger companies to achieve maximum productivity with many management & workers so that the job is organization could be divided into 6 activities
employees and tasks. His major characteristics of an ideal performed in the desired way. namely technical, commercial, financial,
bureaucracy was work specialization & division of labour, security, accounting and managerial.
abstract rules & regulations, impersonality of managers & The limitations of this theory are;
hierarchy of organization structure. Focuses problems at the operational level but not The limitations of this theory are;
on the management of the organization from manager’s •Does not deal with problems of leadership,
point of view. motivation, power or informal relations.
The limitation of this theory is; Taylor & his followers overlooked the social needs of
It destroyed individual creativity & flexibility to •Failed to consider impact of external & internal
workers & overemphasized their economic & physical
respond to complex changes in the global environment environment upon employee behaviour in
needs.
organizations
It ignored the human desire for job satisfaction.
3 NE0 - CLASSICAL MANAGEMENT THEORY
This theory was discovered in the year between 1930 -1960. This theory made significant contribution
to an understanding of human behaviour at work and in an organization. It has generated awareness of
the overwhelming role of human factor in industry. It has two streams of thought namely;
Human relations approach Behavioural sciences
by Elton Mayo approach
by Abraham Maslow
Elton Mayo an Australian Psychologist developed the human
relations theory and he is recommended as the Father of Human Abraham Maslow an American Psychologist developed
Relations School. Him and his associates (John Dewery, Kurt Lewin & behavioural approaches to management where he
others) were conducting a study at Western Electric’s Hawthrone proposed the hierarchy of need, where employee needs
Plant where they were to evaluate the attributes and psychological
and expectations were prioritized.
reactions of workers in on-the-job situations. Below is what they
concluded from their study;
The social and psychological factors at the workplace, not Maslow come up with a hierarchy of needs as a
the physical conditions of the workplace determine the motivational theory in psychology consisting of a 5- tier
employees’ morale and output. model of human needs.
The organization is a social system.
Non-economic rewards and sanctions significantly affect
The needs from the bottom of the hierarchy upwards are;
the workers’ behaviour, morale and output.
Workers are not inert or isolated, unrelated individual; they physiological, safety, love, esteem and self-actualization.
are social animals.
Division of labour strictly on specialization is not necessarily
the most efficient approach.
The workers tend to form small groups (informal
organizations).
Leadership, style of supervision, communication and participation
play a central role in workers’ behaviour, satisfaction and productivity.
4 MODERN MANAGEMENT THEORY
The Modern Period (1960 to present). After, 1960 management thought has been turning somewhat
away from the extreme human relations ideas particularly regarding the direct relation between morale
and productivity. Present management thinking wishes equal emphasis on man and machine.
It has three streams of approach;
a) Quantitative or Mathematical Approach Drawbacks
It evolved from the Decision Theory school a Mathematics school
which gives quantitative basis for decision making and also considers (i) This approach does not give any weight age to human element which plays a dominant role
management as a system of mathematical model & processes. in all organisations.
This approach involves the study of complex systems of people, money, (ii) In actual life executives have to take decisions quickly without waiting for full information
equipment and procedures with the goal of understanding them and to develop models.
improving their effectiveness. It involves use of quantitative techniques
to maximize resources, which focuses on the application of statistics, (iii) The various mathematical tools help in decision making. But decision making is one part of
optimization models, information models, computer simulations etc to managerial activities. Management has many other functions than decision-making.
with the aim of making managers’ work easier. It also involves operations
management which entails techniques of analysing all production systems (iv) This approach supposes that all variables to decision-making are measurable and inter-
aspects. It also has total quality management (TQM) which focuses on dependent. This assumption is not realistic.
improvement of quality of products and services in an organization.
(v) Sometimes, the information available in the business for developing mathematical models
Its also has Management information system which entails providing are not upto date and may lead to wrong decision-making.
information about an organization.
The main application of this approach is in production and operation
management to solving problems of scheduling and budgeting and
maintenance of inventory levels
4 MODERN MANAGEMENT THEORY
b) System approach theory (Organization as a system)
Lawrence J. Henderson and W.G Scott being some of the contributors of this theory and they
viewed an organization as an organic and open system comprising of interacting and interdependent
parts called subsystems.
The theory is based on the generalization that everything is interrelated and inter dependent meaning it was
characterised by a hierarchy of sub-systems. This theory is beneficial to the management of an organization as
it helps them achieve their objectives and views as an open system.
Its through this theory that complex organization like project management organization have
managed to study the inter-relations of their functions namely;
planning, organizing, directing and controlling.
4 MODERN MANAGEMENT THEORY
c) Contingency approach theory (Situational Approach)
This theory was developed by J.W Lorsch and P.R Lawrence
in the 1970’s.Its main aim was to integrate theory with practice Features of Contingency Approach:
in systems framework. Firstly, the contingency approach does not accept the universality
of management theory. It stresses that there is no one best way of
It also recognizes that organizational systems are the product of doing things. Management is situation, and managers should
Interaction of the sub-systems and the environment. It also seeks explain objectives, design organisations and prepare strategies,
to identify the exact nature of inter-actions and inter-relationships. policies and plans according to prevailing circumstances.
Secondly, managerial policies and practices to be effective, must
This theory emphasizes that there’s no one best way of doing things. adjust to changes in environment.
It says management is a situation and managers should explain
objectives, design organizations and prepare strategies, policies and Thirdly, it should improve diagnostic skills so as to anticipate and
plans in accordance with the prevailing circumstances. ready for environmental changes.
It also says that for managers to accommodate and stabilize change Fourthly, managers should have sufficient human relations skill to
they should have sufficient human relation skills. accommodate and stabilise change.
Application
Theories such as Scientific management aims at analysing the workflow of
workers to improve labour productivity which leads to improved economic
efficiency. Efficiency is improved in reduction of waste of resources and time.
Large corporations in Kenya today especially the manufacturing sector use
surveillance techniques to observe workers and make sure employees are not Examples of Management Practices in
wasting company time by slacking in their tasks. Kenya
Agile Management Practices in IT Companies
By viewing the efficiency levels of each employee, companies can achieve the Total Quality Management in Manufacturing
optimal success rate. This observation improves the dedication of employees to Industries
their work. Participative Management in Public Sector
Organizations
Challenges in Applying Management
Theories in Kenya
Cultural Differences
Summary/Application Lack of Resources
management Political Instability
theories in
KENYA Future Trends in Management and
Implications for Kenya
Embrace of Digital Transformation
Importance of Sustainability
Shift towards Remote Work
Conclusion
Foundation for Decision-Making: Management theories provide a framework Strategic Planning and Visionary Leadership: Management theories help
for understanding organizational dynamics, decision-making processes, and leaders develop strategic plans and visions for the future of their organizations.
strategies for achieving goals. Leaders who grasp these theories can make By understanding concepts such as strategic management and leadership styles,
informed decisions based on evidence and analysis rather than relying solely on leaders can set clear goals, articulate a compelling vision, and inspire others to
intuition. work towards common objectives.
Effective Communication: Management theories often emphasize Organizational Development and Change Management: In today's dynamic
communication strategies, which are essential for effective leadership. Leaders business environment, change is inevitable. Management theories offer insights
who understand these theories can communicate goals, expectations, and into organizational development and change management processes, enabling
feedback clearly and persuasively, fostering a positive and productive work leaders to navigate transitions effectively, minimize resistance, and facilitate
environment. successful change initiatives.
Adaptability and Flexibility: Management theories encompass various Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility: Many management
approaches to organizational management, such as classical, human relations, theories incorporate principles of ethical leadership and corporate social
contingency, and systems theories. Leaders who are familiar with these diverse responsibility (CSR). Leaders who understand these principles can make ethical
perspectives can adapt their leadership style to different situations, challenges, decisions, uphold moral standards, and contribute to the long-term sustainability
and organizational contexts. and reputation of their organizations.
Employee Motivation and Engagement: Many management theories address
aspects of employee motivation and engagement, which are vital for achieving
organizational objectives. Leaders who understand these theories can create
environments where employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated to
perform at their best.
Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving: Management theories often provide
frameworks for handling conflicts and solving problems within organizations.
Leaders who are well-versed in these theories can effectively manage conflicts,
foster collaboration, and implement solutions that promote organizational
growth and success.
References
Dr Lawrence M. Mbugua
1 Lecture Note / Handouts
Littler, CR 1978, ‘Understanding Taylorism’,
British Journal of Sociology, vol. 29, no. 2,
2 pp. 185-203.
Klaess, J. (2020). The history and future of
The assembly line. Tulip. Retrieved from
3 https://tulip.co/blog/manufacturing/assembly-
line-history-future/
Koontz, H., & O’Donnell, C. (1955).
Principles of Management: An Analysis
of Managerial Functions. New York:
4 McGraw-Hill
