Management Theories and Concepts

Questions and Answers

Efforts to make workers as efficient as machines led in the early 20th century to the development of administrative techniques called:

Control from the top down

Organizational society

Scientific management (correct)

None of the above

The systematic and logical application of formal rules and procedures to all aspects of modern life exemplifies:

The Peter Principle

The growth-inhibiting aspects of bureaucracies

The principle of rationalization (correct)

Organizational reform

The Peter Principle refers to:

The idea that workers are primarily motivated by financial incentives

The idea that employees in a hierarchy tend to rise to their individual levels of incompetence (correct)

The idea that all organizations, over time, become increasingly rational and work is depersonalized

The idea that employees in a hierarchy tend to rise to their individual levels of competence

In The Organization Man, William Whyte argues:

That the social ethic, with its emphasis on cooperation and management, has been the impetus for the spread of bureaucratization Signup and view all the answers

The social ethic was based on the premises that encouraged loyalty and total commitment to the organization. Those are:

A, B, and C Signup and view all the answers

The dramatic effect of industrialization was the separation of work from the home. Peter Laslett states the result of that was organizational society.

False Signup and view all the answers

Ralph Hummel explains that in an industrial society 'people's work is divided not only to make them expert and more efficient but also to make them dependent on managerial control.' This system of authority is characteristic of bureaucracies and calls control from the top down.

True Signup and view all the answers

White-collar occupation includes clerical and sales positions, too. Since 1900 the number of those jobs tripled.

True Signup and view all the answers

Max Weber, at the end of his life, was pessimistic about too much rationalization of bureaucracy which can lead to dehumanization of society.

True Signup and view all the answers

According to recent work by Rosabeth Kanter in When Giants Learn to Dance, 40% of American corporations now offer child-care benefits to employees.

False Signup and view all the answers

The bureaucratic emphasis on files and record keeping is indicative of:

The tendency to reduce relationships with individuals to definable categories of behavior Signup and view all the answers

For Weber, the systematic and logical application of formal rules and procedures of all aspects of modern life exemplifies:

The Principle of Rationalization Signup and view all the answers

The view that the principles of the fast-food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world is the position of:

George Ritzer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about 'McDonaldization' is/are true?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Restaurant workers using nicknames, engaging in horseplay, and playing pranks on each other is an example of:

Informal subculture within a formal organization Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Scientific Management

Early 20th-century efforts aimed to enhance worker efficiency resembling machines, resulting in scientific management concepts.
Key approaches included control from the top down and bureaucratic organization.

Rationalization

Systematic and logical application of formal rules and procedures signifies the principle of rationalization.
This principle is crucial for understanding the functioning of modern bureaucracies.

The Peter Principle

Employees in a hierarchy often rise to levels of incompetence, known as the Peter principle.
This concept highlights potential inefficiencies in organizational structures.

The Organization Man

William Whyte emphasized the social ethic promoting cooperation, which accelerated bureaucratization.
Creativity may be hindered in bureaucratic settings where following rules takes precedence.

Loyalty and total commitment to organizations stem from beliefs about group creativity, belongingness, and applying scientific approaches to human relations.

Industrialization Impact

The separation of work from home due to industrialization marked a significant change in societal structure.

Managerial Control

Ralph Hummel discussed how industrial society leads to a division of work that fosters dependency on managerial control, a characteristic of bureaucracies.

White-Collar Occupations

The number of white-collar jobs, including clerical and sales roles, has tripled since 1900, marking a significant shift in the workforce.

Bureaucratic Concerns

Max Weber expressed concern that excessive rationalization could result in societal dehumanization.
The bureaucratic focus on documentation reflects the mass character and categorization of individual behaviors.

McDonaldization

George Ritzer introduced the concept of McDonaldization, suggesting the principles of fast food are increasingly prevalent in various societal sectors.
McDonaldization involves rationalization processes that extend beyond food service, impacting education, health, and more.

Informal Subcultures

Informal subcultures within formal organizations manifest in behaviors such as nicknaming and playful interactions among workers, illustrating limitations of bureaucratic control.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore key themes in management philosophy including scientific management, rationalization, and the Peter Principle. This quiz delves into how these theories shape organizational structures and employee dynamics. Test your understanding of important concepts that influence modern bureaucracies.

Management Theories and Concepts

Questions and Answers

Efforts to make workers as efficient as machines led in the early 20th century to the development of administrative techniques called: