Foundations of Management and Bureaucracy

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Questions and Answers

What is the estimated number of people affected by modern slavery worldwide?

25 million

50 million

40 million (correct)

15 million

Which of the following is a form of modern slavery?

Exploitation of workers in various sectors (correct)

Participation in community service

Unpaid internships

Volunteering

During which century did the textile industry in the north of England began to flourish?

17th century

19th century

18th century (correct)

16th century

What innovation is attributed to the early textile mills after 1764?

The use of water-powered cotton mills Signup and view all the answers

How were goods transported around the country before the mid-eighteenth century?

By packhorses and river navigations Signup and view all the answers

Which region's textile industry is mentioned alongside the north of England?

Wupper Valley in Germany Signup and view all the answers

What major change occurred in the textile manufacturing process before the eighteenth century?

Individual workers manufacturing cloth in their homes Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the early enterprises in the textile industry?

Textiles, particularly cotton Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of organizational design?

The formal structure and decision-making process Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a contemporary organizational design mentioned?

Traditional hierarchy Signup and view all the answers

What historical practices were early management ideas associated with?

The control of slave labor Signup and view all the answers

What role does McDonaldization play in modern management?

It emphasizes efficiency, predictability, and uniformity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these reflects the idea of responsible autonomy in organizational design?

Individual employees have the freedom to make decisions Signup and view all the answers

How has professionalization influenced organizational designs?

It leads to a uniform approach across various organizations. Signup and view all the answers

What does embeddedness refer to in organizational designs?

The extent to which organizations are connected to their environments Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the legacy of slavery in contemporary organizations?

The historical profits from slavery are still evident in some estates. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of management according to Taylor's view?

To maximize the efficiency of the working body Signup and view all the answers

Which group primarily opposed scientific management and would lose their livelihoods if it became prevalent?

Internal contractors Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the criticisms of Taylor's approach by owners of capital?

They feared it would undermine their power of ownership Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of labor did Taylor suggest should be left to workers?

Executing manual labor Signup and view all the answers

What method did the Gilbreths use to advance Taylor's ideas?

Time-lapsed photography Signup and view all the answers

How did employers generally respond to Taylor's ideas?

They selectively adopted efficiency measures Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a concern of unions regarding the implementation of scientific management?

Standardization reducing craft skills Signup and view all the answers

What did Taylor propose regarding the role of management and workers?

Management should focus on mental labor while workers handle manual labor Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary motivation for firms to adopt the M-form organizational structure?

To facilitate vertical integration and specialized functions Signup and view all the answers

Which type of CEO background was more likely associated with an early transition to an M-form structure?

Finance background Signup and view all the answers

What kind of firms were more inclined to shift to the M-form structure?

Firms with strong and distinct product lines as their central strategy Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a competitor's shift to an M-form structure have on remaining firms?

It increases their likelihood of adopting the M-form structure Signup and view all the answers

In the M-form, how are the performance criteria for devolved divisions typically structured?

Fixed centrally and oriented towards outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of the rules governing divisions in an M-form organization?

They emphasize outcomes over processes Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects an incorrect reason for firms to change their organizational structures?

Having a CEO with a focused technical background Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'M-form' stand for in organizational structure?

Multidivisional form Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor contributing to corruption in China?

Weak rule of law combined with local autonomy Signup and view all the answers

What does Ang (2017) argue regarding bureau franchising?

It is sanctioned and regulated at the agency level. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mayo's Human Relations theory emphasize the role of informal work group relations?

They are critical for sustaining the formal system. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological approach influenced Mayo's views on work behavior?

Freudian psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

What concern arises when talking about the principles of bureau franchising in China?

They can become conduits for corruption. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main contribution of the Hawthorne Studies linked to Mayo?

They validated the impact of informal social relations on work performance. Signup and view all the answers

What issue is raised regarding the application of the Weberian model of public administration?

Its principles may not fit every administrative culture. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mayo's view towards agitators and radicals in the workforce?

Their behavior stemmed from neurotic fantasies linked to their past. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Foundations of Management Design

Early ideas of management can be traced back to slave manuals.
The slave trade played a significant role in the prosperity of England, Netherlands and the Americas, but this is a shameful historical reality that was often hidden.
Modern slavery, encompassing an estimated 40 million people globally, continues to be a pressing issue.

Engineering and the Rise of Bureaucracy

The principles of management were then applied in the design of buildings and engineering.
The concept of bureaucracy broadened its scope to include human relations.

Systematic Management Practices

Early textile mills had minimal organizational structure and management.
The system of "putting-out" was common, where individuals worked in workshops or their homes.
The 18th century saw the rise of water-powered textile mills like Thorp Mill, the first in the world.

Scientific Management: The Birth of a New Era

Scientific Management, pioneered by Frederick Winslow Taylor, aimed to increase efficiency through scientific methods.
Taylor's key principles focused on:
- Scientifically selecting and training workers to perform their jobs.
- Dividing work between management and workers.
Time-lapsed photography, pioneered by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, was a key tool employed by scientific managers.
Scientific Management faced opposition from:
- Internal contractors fearing their replacement by managers.
- Owners of small workshops concerned that the new knowledge would threaten their powers.
- Employers embracing efficiencies but not the bonus system.
- Labor unions opposed to the loss of craft skills through standardization.

Modern Management: The Influence of Human Relations

Elton Mayo, a key figure in Human Relations, emphasized the importance of personal relationships and informal work groups.
He believed that human actions are driven by unconscious factors.
Mayo's research, known as the Hawthorne Studies, contributed significantly to the development of human relations theory in management.

The M-Form: Centralized Control and Decentralized Operations

The M-Form (multidivisional) model of organization, pioneered by General Motors, emphasizes central control, vertical integration of production, and formal coordination between departments and subunits.
The adoption of the M-form was more likely for companies with strong product lines, CEOs with finance backgrounds, and established firms.
The M-form model focused on achieving outcomes (like return on investment - ROI) rather than on specific processes.

Corruption and Bureaucracy in China

The Chinese bureaucracy is complex and often sees blurred lines between the legitimate and the corrupt.
Guanxi, a system of personalized social networks, can lead to corruption.
The concept of "bureau franchising" allows for greater agency but carries the risk of corruption.

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Description

Explore the historical development of management practices from early slave manuals to modern bureaucratic systems. This quiz examines the evolution of management in engineering and its impact on various industries, particularly in the context of textile mills and scientific management. Gain insights into the complexities and implications of these foundational concepts.