Management and Understanding the Business Environment - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages It is essential in dealing with employees, and in understanding the business environment (Robbins et al.2008).

History of management
As indicated by Robbins et al. (2008, p. 29), the ancient management practices were implemented in projects such as the construction of the Great Wall of China as well as the pyramids of Egypt which employed thousands of people. During the construction of the Egyptian pyramids, a single pyramid would employ more the 100000 workers for 20 years; hence, someone had to be assigned the task of organizing and controlling the people and the materials to be used. Such activities led to the study of management practices. Robbins et al. (2008, p. 29) further stated that, in 1776, Adam Smith published a book that argued the economic benefits that organizations get from practicing effective management practices such as division of labor and breaking down jobs to narrow tasks, which played a role in increasing the labor productivity, and in enhancing the skills of the workers.

The other concept that has played a role in management is the industrial revolution of the 18th century in Great Britain. The industrial revolution was important because it enhanced the use of machinery for production instead of manpower. This made the production of goods more efficient by reducing the finance and time resources used for production. The tasks that were previously taken by human beings were substituted by machines which enhance both accuracy and quality. In the 19th century, there was a major step taken to enhance proper management through the development of formalized management theories which were implemented in large organizations. These were scientific management, general administrative theory, quantitative organizational behavior, and contingency.

The scientific management theory explains the use of scientific methods to ensure that various tasks are implemented. The scientific theory was further enhanced by Fredrick Taylor, Frank, and Lillian Gilbreth. Taylor observed that most tasks were executed with neither application of skills nor professional standards; thus, reducing their output to a third of what was expected from a worker. To maximize the application of skills by the workers and increase production efficiency, workers were assigned tasks according to their abilities and characteristics. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth studied ways to avoid wastage of body movements. ...Download file to see next pages Read More