Business written reflection
Section 1: Reflection on the Connection between Management Theory and Practice
As a first year student in this course, I have found it most interesting to learn that Management can be divided into so many different – even opposing – perspectives. That there is no “one best approach”, but rather – if applied appropriately – each concept can be equally successful.
For example, the humanistic approach – established by Mayo’s Hawthorne Studies – emphasises Maslow’s theory of satisfying the employee’s basic need to increase productivity, and suggests that jobs should be tailored to assist employees in reaching their full potential. Furthermore, I have observed that this approach has a well-established relationship with specific business practices, such as decentralised control and total quality management, allowing businesses to survive and adapt to more unstable external environments. I have also recognised that this management approach often focuses on differentiation strategies to gain a competitive advantage, and that the use of personal power and transformational leadership frequently contribute to its success.
These features are clearly demonstrated by Google Inc. (presented in one of the case studies) through their impressive use of Human Resource Management (HRM) strategies such as:
“20% work” – where every professional job is crafted to make work the primary attraction and keep the employees interested, challenged, motivated and innovative.
Flexible working hours.
Numerous personal benefits to sustain a healthy work-life balance.
All of which encourage: self- development; collaboration; creativity and innovation, and ultimately contributes to the overall success of the multi-billion dollar company.
Consequently, the scientific approach to management has been proven successful by businesses such as McDonalds and QB House (presented in one of the case studies). The scientific principles developed by Frederick W. Taylor and Frank and Lillian
As a first year student in this course, I have found it most interesting to learn that Management can be divided into so many different – even opposing – perspectives. That there is no “one best approach”, but rather – if applied appropriately – each concept can be equally successful.
For example, the humanistic approach – established by Mayo’s Hawthorne Studies – emphasises Maslow’s theory of satisfying the employee’s basic need to increase productivity, and suggests that jobs should be tailored to assist employees in reaching their full potential. Furthermore, I have observed that this approach has a well-established relationship with specific business practices, such as decentralised control and total quality management, allowing businesses to survive and adapt to more unstable external environments. I have also recognised that this management approach often focuses on differentiation strategies to gain a competitive advantage, and that the use of personal power and transformational leadership frequently contribute to its success.
These features are clearly demonstrated by Google Inc. (presented in one of the case studies) through their impressive use of Human Resource Management (HRM) strategies such as:
“20% work” – where every professional job is crafted to make work the primary attraction and keep the employees interested, challenged, motivated and innovative.
Flexible working hours.
Numerous personal benefits to sustain a healthy work-life balance.
All of which encourage: self- development; collaboration; creativity and innovation, and ultimately contributes to the overall success of the multi-billion dollar company.
Consequently, the scientific approach to management has been proven successful by businesses such as McDonalds and QB House (presented in one of the case studies). The scientific principles developed by Frederick W. Taylor and Frank and Lillian