The Importance of Basic Management Skills - Coursework Example

Management is a process of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling organization activities towards the achievement of predetermined goals of the organization or simply a way of getting things done through others. Organization on the other hand is a formalized intentional structure of roles and positions where managerial functions are performed or institutions where activities are in placed orderly and efficient manner towards the achievement of predetermined goals (Aktouf, 1992).

Theories of managementClassical theoriesThe classical theory of management presumes that there is a single approach to management and tends to apply the concept of science to organization and management. The was contributed by the following theorist,Fredrick TaylorFredrick Taylor came up with scientific management where he carried out numerous experiments on breaking down components of a manual task and timing each task with a stopwatch. The main aim of this experiment was to maximize the efficiency of work and suggest that workers need to be paid more money if they are efficient while inefficient workers are paid less (Aktouf, 1992).

Through his experiments he was able to come up with various principles that include;True science in work- This involves coming up with the best way in which activity could be accomplished. Therefore, he proposed that organizations should use work and motion i.e. science in determining the movements of the worker and inefficient or eliminate inefficient movements in order to achieve optimal results (Aktouf, 1992).Scientific selection of workers- He proposed that workers should be scientifically selected and should be involved in progressive training and development.

In addition, physical traits should match the position required to be filled in the organization. The aim of this is to increase worker efficiency and reduce straining (Aktouf, 1992).Division of work and responsibilities- This principle encourages the management to divide work and responsibilities where management takes and allocates workers for which they are suited.