SETTLEMENT PLANNING FOUR - KNUST: Lecture Notes

SETTLEMENT PLANNING FOUR - KNUST: Lecture Notes: "Principles of Management sp4 lectures notes"
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Lecture 3-Management and Entrepreneurship Skills

CHAPTER THREE: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

3.1 EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF STRATEGY
The word strategy derives its origin from the Greek word strategeia, which means the art or science of being a military general. Effective Greek military generals needed to lead an army to win wars and protect their cities from aggression and invasion. A strategy is therefore defined as the pattern of actual actions that are designed to counteract against enemy attack. To the Greeks strategy was more than fighting battles. Effective Greek generals had to determine the right amount of logistics needed to fight; where to fight and where not to fight; the army’s relationships with citizens, politician, diplomat, etc.
Strategy has both decision making component and planning component. Military Generals are therefore supposed to decide and plan strategically. These two components constitute the key elements to success in strategic management.



3.1.1 Definition of a strategy
Alfred Chandler Jr., defines strategy as ‘the determination of the basic long-term goals and objective of an enterprise, and the adoption of courses of action and the allocation of resources necessary for carrying out these goals. Implied in this definition is that strategy involves rational thinking/decision making and planning.
James B. Quinn argues that strategy is ‘the pattern or plan that integrates an organization’s major goals, policies and action sequences into a cohesive whole’.
William F. Glueck also sees strategy as a unified, comprehensive and integrated plan designed to ensure that the basic, objectives of the enterprise are achieved.
In summary, a strategy is the plan that integrates an organization’s major goals, policies and action sequence into a cohesive whole. It is a managerial game plan for running an organisation.

Since competitors often copy strategic, there is the need to always search for innovative strategies that have competitive edge. As a result of hyper competition, strategies must be aggressive, bold, and fast-moving.

Good strategy and good strategy implementation are the most trustworthy signs of good management. There is strong reason to associate good management with how well managers craft and execute strategies. The standards for judging whether an organisation is well managed, begins with good strategy-making, combined with good strategy execution. The better conceived an organization’s strategy and the more flawless its execution, the greater the chance that the organization will perform better. This is not to imply that good strategy implementation will automatically guarantee excellent organisational performance every year. Success will partly depend on the manager’s ability to adjust to competition and other environmental factors.


3.2 WHAT IS STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT?
Schermerhorn defines it as ‘the process of formulating and implementing strategies to advance an organisation’s mission and objectives and secure competitive advantage’.

James A F Stoner also define strategic management as ‘the management process that involves an organizations engaging in strategic planning and then acting on those planning and then acting on those plans’.
G.A. Cole go ahead to define it as ‘the process of determining, evaluating and adopting the aims or mission of an organization and the patterns of decisions that guide the achievement of those aims in a long-term’. According to Cole, the prime responsibility for strategic management lies with the top management of the organization e.g. Chief Executive and the board of directors.

Strategic Management is the process by which guiding members of a nation, community or organisation envision its future and implement the necessary strategies, operations and policies to realise that future. The essence of strategic management is to look ahead, understand, the environment and effectively position an organisation for competitive success in changing times.

3.3 ELEMENTS OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT DIRECTION
Vision
The vision of an organisation encapsulates the organisation’s values. An organisation or a person who is able to accurately predict what is likely to happen in the future and takes appropriate contingency measures to deal with such future events is regarded as visionary. To have a vision is to be proactive instead be being reactive.
Mission
Every company has a purpose or reason for existence. The company’s mission therefore defines its purpose. It indicates the domain of the company and therefore serves as a guide for all stakeholders. Mission statement should not be too broad otherwise it will lose focus. It should also not be too narrow otherwise they are short-lived and considered myopic. Thus mission statement should be market oriented and not product oriented. Market orientation means a definition which portrays the satisfaction of the needs of customers and not portraying the product that does the job. Corporate objectives are borne out of the mission statement. There could be multiplicity of objectives. It must be reviewed periodically and re-formulated to reflect environmental conditions. The Mission of every organisation should be clearly captured in its mission statement. All mission statements should be realistic, specific, based on distinctive competencies and motivating. For example, the mission statement of enterprise Insurance reads “To provide quality insurance services to individuals, companies and organisations, whilst returning good investment yields to our shareholders and job enrichment to our staff”.
Objectives
Objectives are ends the organisation seeks to achieve through its existence and operation. They are specific measurable and time bound results an organisation wants to achieve. Objectives are shorter term targets against which actual performance results can be measured as indicators of progress and improvement. Objectives of every organisation should be based on both the vision and the mission statements. There is no doubt that the vision, mission and the objectives of every organisation are inter-related. A good blend of these dements of strategic management direction is a recipe for success all other things being equal. Objectives are supposed to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time related.



Core values
Values are broad beliefs about what is or not appropriate behaviour. Values also imply what the organization believes and how it will act.



3.4 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PROCESS
Charles W. L. Hill and Gareth R. Jones make mention that, ‘the major components of the strategic management process include defining the mission and major goals of the organisation; analysing the external and internal environment of the organisation; choosing strategies that align or fit the organisation’s strength and weaknesses with external environment opportunities and threats; and adopting organisational structures and control systems to implement the organisation’s chosen strategy’.

John R. Schermerhorn, Jr says that, ‘it is the process of formulating and implementing strategies to enhance an organisation’s mission and objectives and secure competitive advantage’.
According to Schermerhorn, the strategic management process involves the following;
 Strategy Formulation [creating strategies]
 Strategy Implementation [putting strategies into action]
 Strategy review [Evaluation to determine the success of the implemented strategy].

In a more specific and concise way, the strategic management process may be outlined as follow:

Environmental scanning
Since the environment is full of uncertainties, it is necessary for the strategic manager to be sensitive to the environment in order to scan the environment with a high degree of success. Environment scanning involves systematic collection of information on the external environment for the purpose of determining an organisation’s strategies. This process may consist of:
 Forecasting changing conditions
 Analysing the effects of change
 Making decisions- that is strategic thinking – making sense out of an uncertain future.
 Envisioning the organisation in the context of world trends of events, and identifying interferences.
 Focusing on how the organisation should act and react to emerging opportunities and threats.
 Need for strategic foresight to address issues such as what is to be done.

Strategy formulation
This is the stage where an actual strategy for dealing with a situation is initiated. The starting point for strategy formulation is the identification of current mission and objectives: analysis of values and corporate culture, internal strength and weakness; and environmental opportunities and threats. After the identification and analysis of all the issues involved in the strategy formulation, the next issue is to periodically revise the mission and objectives and where necessary, select new strategies. Strategy formulation should lead strategic plan.
Strategic plan
It is concerned with addressing long-term needs and set comprehensive actions and directions for an organisation or a subunit of it. Strategic planning is the prerogative of top management. Its scope involves determining objectives for the entire organisation and then deciding on the actions and resource allocation to achieve them.
The main components or outline of a strategic plan are:
Executive summary-This highlights the vision, mission objectives/goals and the strategies required to be used
Strategic diagnosis-This deals with swot analysis that is the strengths, weaknesses opportunities and threats.
Strategic intend and direction-This section deals with vision, mission, values, goals, objectives, strategies, plans etc.
Strategic implementation-Issues addressed in this section include leadership, organisational structure, culture, policies and procedures, human resource development, resource allocation etc.
Contingency plan-This should be able to deal with unforeseen circumstance which may derail the good intentions of the strategic plan
Financial plan-This should highlight all the financial implication of the plan. It should also address issues of cost-benefit analysis. Under financial plan, efforts should be made to lower cost and increase profit.


3.5 IMPLICATIONS OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
The objective of strategic management is to find out why some organisations succeed while others fail; why success turns into failure and vice versa.
The three broad factors that may determine an organisation’s success include the following: the industry in which it is based, the country/countries in which it is based and the resources, capabilities and strategies available.

Principles of Management

MGT 471:
Principles of Management 1
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: MEANING, NATURE AND SCOPE OF MANAGEMENT ..................................................... 4
 Definition of management and its relationship with Administration
 Management as a science and art
 Management as a profession
CHAPTER TWO: EVOLUTION OF THE THEORY OF MANAGEMENT ....................................................... 15
 Classical theories
 Behavioural
 Systems
 Contingency
 Operations Research (Management Science)
CHAPTER THREE: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
 Objective Setting
 Vision
 Mission Statement
CHAPTER FOUR: FUNCTIONS/PROCESS OF MANAGEMENT .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
 Planning
 Organizing
 Directing/Leading
 Controlling
CHAPTER FIVE: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
 Types of organisational structure – functional, line, staff, tall, flat, matrix, committees, etc.
 Delegation
 Authority
 Power (types)
 Responsibility
 Accountability
CHAPTER SIX: TEAM MANAGEMENT ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
 Definition
 Formal and Informal groups
 Group Formation
 Factors affecting group cohesion and performance
 Characteristics of effective work group
 Differences between groups and teams
 Belbin’s Team Roles
CHAPTER SEVEN: CHANGE MANAGEMENT ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
 Strategic Change
 Resistance to Change
 Strategies for Change Management
 Overcoming Resistance to Change
 Kotter's Eight Steps in Transforming Organisations
 Change and Culture
REFERENCES ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.1 DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT
There are many definitions of management as there are authors and practitioners. Management has been interpreted to mean many things like other disciplines. Hence, there is no one generally accepted definition of management.
Mary Parker Follet defined management as “Getting things done through other people”
Henri Fayol (1916) argues that to manage is to forecast and plan, to organize, to command, to co-ordinate and to control. This definition is a reflection of his management principles to be considered later in the course.
E.F.L. Brech (1975) also sees management as a social process entailing responsibility for the effective and economical planning and regulation of the operations of an enterprise, in fulfilment of given purposes or tasks, such responsibility involving:
 Judgment and decision in determining plans and in using data to control performance and progress against plans
 The guidance, integration, motivation and supervision of the personnel composing the enterprise and carrying out its operation
Breach identifies four main elements of management. These are planning, controlling, coordinating, and motivation
F.W. Taylor (1886) (Father of Scientific Management), has postulated that management is “The determination of the overall policy of a business organization”
Herold Koontz, and Heinz Weilhrick (1990) view management as “the process of designing and maintaining an environment in which individuals, working together in groups, efficiently accomplish selected goals”
Laurie J. Mullins (1994) says management may be regarded as:
 Taking place within a structured organizational setting and with prescribed roles;
 Directed towards the attainment of aims and objectives
 Achieved through the efforts of other people
 Using systems and procedures
1.1.2 Implications of the definition
Management has various meanings and interpretations like many disciplines.
Hence, there is no one generally accepted definition of management.
The definitions above and others have given extended definitions and interpretations to management to cover the following:
 The determination of the overall policy of an organization
 An activity that takes place at the topmost hierarchy of an organization, i.e. board of directors.
 An activity that deals with critical and strategic policy decision issues.
 A discipline which students and practitioners pursue at education institutions.
 A team or a group of people who are experienced in management who work together to get things done
 A career which people pursue to earn a living.
For the purpose of our course, we can define management as: A process of planning, organizing, directing (leading), and controlling carried out by people at the topmost hierarchy of an organization to ensure that a proper environment is created to enable people working in an organization achieve successfully, the objectives of an organization through the proper utilization (optimization) of scarce resources.
1.2 VARIOUS DIMENSIONS OF MANAGEMENT
The various dimensions of management have come about as result of the different levels of management activities in organisations. The level of management depicts the kind of decision that may be taken. The three main levels are: Strategic, tactical and operational.
Strategic Managers (top level management)
This level of management is more often charged with the responsibility of developing the vision, mission, objectives and the game plan of the entire organization. Vision, mission and objectives constitute the three main elements of strategic management direction.
This level is also responsible for determining, evaluating and adapting the aims or missions of an organization and the patterns of decisions that give direction and guidance to the achievement of these aims in the long-term.
Tactical Managers (middle level management)
That aspect of management which facilitates the re-definition of the programmes of the Strategic Manager i.e. it ensures that the plans of the strategic manager are re-defined in unambiguous terms. It provides an opportunity for lower level managers to actually get things done. Tactical managers facilitate the implementation of the policies of strategic managers.
It should, however, be noted that, this level of management is being removed from most organisational hierarchies making organisation flatter. This is given the term delayering. This has come about as a result of improvement in information and communication technology, which makes subordinates able to perform their jobs. Organisational members therefore have access to information-which hitherto was provided by middle level managers-that facilitates their work. This process is referred to as empowerment.
Operational Managers (Lower Level Management)
That aspect of Management which is concerned with the actual implementation of the strategies evolved by strategic managers and re-defined by tactical managers. Operational managers may include assistants or deputies to tactical managers.
The following diagram gives a graphical representation of the three dimensions or levels of management.
THE NATURE OF MANAGEMENT
Strategic Management
(Top-level Management)
Tactical Management
(Middle-Level Management)
Operational Management
(Lower-level management)
Front-line Manag
ers
1.3 MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS
Mullins (2002) identification of those who are job titles alone, as identification of those who are managers within organizations can be confusing. He goes on to state “in some organizations there is a liberal use of the term „manager‟ in an apparent attempt to enhance the status and morale of staff. “Perhaps the de-layering of workforces and the removal of traditional middle management roles and predictable progression routes has led to the desire for outward recognition from employees who perceive that they hold positions of responsibility. For example individuals, who have a responsibility for one area of work, such as a particular aspect of IT, are frequently referred to as managers, although they have no staff to manage.
A result of this trend is that there are a seemingly growing number of people within organizations who, although they have the term manager used in their official job title, do not fulfil all aspects of the role as it is identified by commentators in the fields.
In other areas, changes in organizations and the requirements of roles has meant that positions not formally termed managerial fulfil the requirements for the role. Mullins (2002), page 167) presents an interesting case of the infant school head teacher as a manager.
As organizations have become larger managerial functions have become more specialized. Boddy (2002) outlines distinct functions within the management role.
Functional Managers
Functional managers are typically, those managers who are responsible for a common activity within the organization. Examples include research, marketing, finance and production. Typically both staff and managers will have an expertise in the field of their operations, whilst in some organizations mangers will be required to perform a series of functional management positions in preparation for a general management or board level appointment.
General Managers
General managers are typically responsible for a distinct unit within the organization, this might relate to the functions at a geographical location, a division or subsidiary. The general manger is responsible for the overall performance of the unit and as such relies on a number of functional managers.
Project manager
Typically these managers are responsible for a temporary team that has been put together to plan and implement some form of change or carry out an activity with a limited life span. Examples include a new product or system. In some organizations a project manager might be responsible for a sizeable project for a particular customer, such as is often the case in the oil and construction industry. Project managers have particular challenges to face, often they have changing teams of people to work with and on some occasions the people who report to them have additional responsibilities elsewhere in the organization or to other project teams to whom they also report.
Line managers
They are those managers who are in charge of a particular function directly involved in making or supplying goods or services to customers. Line mangers can have widely differing degrees of responsibility, examples of these positions, and range from responsibility for a production line (where the term originates) to responsibility for a team of nurses.
This position is of growing relevance in the modern business environment as two factors come into play. Firstly the reduction in the traditional hierarchy of modern organizations has led to a gradual increase in the degree of responsibility that organizations place in line management positions, additionally there is an increasing belief that it is appropriate for more managerial tasks to be delegated to the line management function – where managers are close to both employees and customers.
1.3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION (the distinction)
Administration and Management are often used interchangeably and synonymously as Henri Fayol did. However, many modern writers on management do not share Fayol„s interpretation of the two concepts-regarding administration as meaning the same as management
Brech regards Administration as a part of management. In other words, administration is a subset of management.
Mullins shares the idea of Brech by stating: “For our purposes, administration is interpreted as part of the management process, and concerned with the design and implementation of systems and procedures to help meet stated objectives”
1.3.1 General interpretations
 Administration deals with the general and actual implementation of the policies initiated by the top management of an organization.
 Administration is an activity that takes place below the top management level of an organization and performed by the functional or the departmental managers and below.
 Administration states the job description (what employees are expected to do) job titles, lines of authority. i.e. who reports to who etc.
 Administration puts into action, what is to be done and provides guidance so that what is to be done is done properly.
Diagrammatic Representation of the Relationship That Exists Between Management and Administration
SHARE HOLDERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MANGING DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE
GENERAL MANAGER
HUMAN
RESOURCE
MANGER
PRODUCTION
MANAGER
MARKETING FINANCE
MANAGER
PUBLIC
RELATIONS
MANAGER
1.4 ORGANIZATION
As an entity/institution; it is a system or a structure made up of people with set objectives and targets to achieve. It is made up of people who have well-defined roles and responsibilities to enable them achieve the overall objectives of an entity.
Organization as an entity includes business institutions, educational institutions, religious institutions, health institutions, security (military/police) institutions etc.
Organisation could also be seen as a process (organizing). This means identifying and grouping the work to be performed, defining and delegating authority, establishing relationships for the purpose of enabling people to work effectively to achieve set objectives.
1.5 THE NATURE OF MANAGEMENT
A lot of practitioners and theorists have tried to explain what management really is. This has resulted in the development of theories regarding the nature of management. Some think that management has come to a point where it could be regarded as a profession. Whereas some regard management as a science; others believe it is an art. Some even believe in the universal applicability of management concepts and theories.
1.5.1 Management as profession
For us to be able to describe management as a profession, it is important to explore what makes a profession. In other words, what are the conditions that must be satisfied for a discipline to gain “profession status”? The following conditions have been recommended:
 A body of principles, skills, techniques and specialized knowledge.
 Formal methods of acquiring advanced education, training and experience.
 Existence of ethical codes for the guidance and conduct of members
 License for members to operate
ADMINISTRATION
 An association for the members
 Public recognition
On the basis of the above, to what extent do we conclude that management is a profession against the background of successful managers who did not have any formal education and training in management but doing extremely well in management?
Peter F. Drucker is of the view that „Management is a practice, rather than a science or profession, though containing elements of both. He further argues that a manager should not be concerned with professionalism but to manage a business.
There are trends towards professionalism in the areas of
 Development of skills/techniques
 Formal training
 Use of management consultants
 Institutes of Management (BIM) (1974)
For example, the British Institute of Management (BIM) (1974) has outlined the following codes for its members:
 To act loyally and honestly in carrying out the policy of an organization and not to undermine its image or reputation.
 To accept responsibility for their own work and that of their subordinates
 Not to abuse their authority for personal gain
 Not to injure or attempt to injure the professional reputation, prospects or business of others
 Always to comply with the law and operate within the spirit of the law
 To order their conduct so as to uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of the Institute
 To deal honestly with the public
The BIM also gives the following guides to good management practice:
 Establishing objectives for themselves (Managers and their subordinates which do not conflict with the organization‟s overall objectives.
 Respecting confidentiality of information and not using it for personal gain
 Making full disclosure of a personal interest to their employer\helping and training subordinates, ensuring their safety and well-being
 Honouring contracts with customers and suppliers
 Ensuring that correct information is produced
 Not tolerating any corrupt practices
 Setting up a disciplinary structure to implant the code.
1.6 MANAGEMENT AS A UNIVERSAL PROCESS
Like management as a profession, management as a universal process has one main condition. Anything which is universal in character is capable of being applied or used in many contrasting environments with almost the same degree of success. Business environments differ due to socio-economic variations. Management problems therefore vary with each environment.
The questions therefore are: Are management principles capable of universal application? Is management skill transferable i.e. can a manger apply his knowledge and skill in a wide variety of industries?
The aforementioned question could be answered by exploring the views of management theorists such as the following:
Peter F. Drucker
Drucker believes that management skills and experiences have no universal application. He also contended that organisation is business–oriented and profit maximizing; and welfare and socially oriented organisation (e.g NGOs) have different orientations and therefore cannot be managed with the same principles.
Ernest Dale
Dale supports Drucker‟s idea that management is not a universal process. To him, no one person could be good manager/administrator in academic, business, military or religious concerns since the philosophy in each institution varies in nature and is not possible for one person to have versatile knowledge in each institution.
Robert C. Appleby
Appleby contends that management is capable of universal application because both business-oriented or profit maximizing organizations, and socially-oriented or welfare organizations have scarce resources to use. Scarce resources need to be judiciously applied to the varying and competing ends/uses. That is to say, managers can use their skills and knowledge in any institution/organization to achieve the set objectives/targets.
1.7 MANAGEMENT AS A SCIENCE OR AN ART
One source of controversy is whether Management is a Science or an Art or both.
1.7.1 Management as a Science
Science is any knowledge arranged in orderly manner, subjected to observation, experiment, tested, systematised and finally brought under general principles.
Thus anything referred to as science should have been subjected to various stages of experimentation and proved to be valid after a generalization technically referred to as a hypothesis.
Scientific Management
For management to be regarded as a science it must use scientific methods in its application. Scientific methods involve;
 Formalized and procedural way of doing things
 Application of systematized principles like Fayol‟s 14 principles and system of controlling
Scientific management is management that organizes knowledge that has been built up through scientific means.
If a manager manages through the use of formula, procedure or memorization of some principles, it is scientific management. Such a manager is likely to overlook practical realities.
1.7.2 Management as an Art
An art is a practical skill acquired through a long period of experience without any form of rigidity. It is traditional way of doing things without any element of formal training. It could also be described as the use an inherent know-how to achieve a desire result.
According to Schermerhorn et al [1995] an art is something a person practices based on skills applied to achieve a desired result. Art is the application of personal intuition and viewpoints.
Artistic Management
This is managing through the use of personal skills and know-how rather than through the application of principles, procedures and formulas. Artistic management make use of practical knowledge acquired through a long period of experience.
The achievement of Wendy McDonald, A British Columbia businesswoman in the art of management is quite commendable. She got married at the age of 18 after high school, worked
and lifted his husband small machine shop into a giant multi-million dollar industrial complex with branches in Canada and US. She was honoured in 1982 with Veuve Cliquot Award in 1982 for her outstanding practical achievement in management. This story connotes the perception that some people are born managers.
 The first schools of thought spearheaded by Taylor, hold the view that management is a science rather than an art.
 The Second School led by Peter F. Drucker argue that management is an art rather than a science.
This school of thought is based on the perception that some people are born managers and that management is an innate ability-either you have it or you do not have it. Another adherent to this school of thought is Robert C. Appleby who states that:
Management is far from being an exact science at present but, by understanding and applying accepted principles; the quality of management practice can be greatly improved.
It is most probable that management will never become wholly an exact science as personal judgements will always be needed to supplement available knowledge; therefore, as a practice, management will always be an art.
From the analysis made so far, one cannot presently describe management as a complete science or art since it has some elements of both in practice. It is therefore safer to regards management as both a science and an art.
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Evolution of management is concerned with the various development stages that management has gone through over years. Historically, Management was not recognised as a distinct subject such as Geography, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Law, Accounting, etc. worthy to be studied in educational institution.
The tendency was therefore for people to marginalise it since the Geographer, Economist, Mathematician, Physicist, Lawyer, Accountant, etc. who establishes his business and was in charge of affairs was regarded as a manager.
Interestingly, if one has not studied courses such as Law and Accounting one cannot call himself a Lawyer or an Accountant respectively.
The same cannot be said of Management since it is loosely used to apply to anybody who has established his own business and is in total control of it.
2.2 CHANGING TREND
The concepts of evolution and development have created a paradigm shift in emphasis to the point that management is now regarded as a distinct subject or course of study vigorously studied in many educational institutions. The existence of many management and administration educational institutions the world over are practical demonstration of the fact that there has been a paradigm shift in emphasis. For example, we have Business Schools all over the world and in Ghana we have, KNUST School of Business, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration [GIMPA], Institute of Professional Studies [IPS], etc.
Even though the renowned authorities in the field of management achieved fame through personal intuition, practice and experience [Art], the fact remains that many went through formal training in it [Science].
The various principles of management propounded by Henri Fayol were the results of many years of practice and formal training.
2.3 INTER-DISCIPLINARY NATURE OF MANAGEMENT
Management has assumed inter-disciplinary dimension since it borrows ideas from various fields such as Economics, Law, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology and Accounting.
The good general manager is the one who can articulate and demonstrate rich knowledge in many related disciplines in addition to the key functional areas of Management. For example, the Finance manager should be able to understand marketing issues relating to customers satisfaction, brand image and other related issues.
Thus, the inter-disciplinary nature of management compels managers to broaden their knowledge in the relevant and related disciplines.
It can therefore be concluded that experts in the other relevant disciplines needed in management have also contributed to the evolution and development of management.
2.4 THEORIES/APPROACHES TO MANAGEMENT
A lot of theories have been developed to underpin the concept of management in organisation. Among some of these schools of management thought are the classical or traditional approach, the behavioural approach, the system approach and the contingency approach.
2.4.1. Classical /Traditional Approach
The key assumption under this approach is that people are rational and economically oriented in their approach towards work.
The approach focuses extensively on formal organizations. It also deals with management and organizations by emphasizing more on the organization‟s purpose and formal structure
Proponents of this approach also placed greater emphasis on planning of work, the technical requirements of the organization, principles of management, and rational and logical behaviour. The classical school tried to lay down universal principles for the structure and organisation of a business.
Branches/Dimensions of the Classical Approach
The classical approach is made up of:
 Scientific Management.
 Administrative Management
 Bureaucratic Management
2.4.2 Scientific Management
It aims at improving the general manufacturing process with a view to improving productivity.
It is also concerned with formulating proper work procedures so that materials will flow uninterrupted.
It lays emphasis on scientific methods of doing things rather than the use of personal intuition, experience, practice and guess work.
Pioneers in the Field of Scientific Management
Scientific management was based on the work of Frederick Winslow Taylor [1856-1915]. He was described as the Father of Scientific Management. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and started work as an apprentice in engineering. He spent most of his time working and achieving greater efficiency at the shop-floor. His solutions to problems of efficiency were from his own practical experiences. He rose through the ranks to become a Manager in the Midvale Steel Co. He also worked with Simonds Rolling Machine Co. It was at Bethlehem that he
conducted experiment on how to improve labour productivity. He consolidated his ideas into a book – The Principles of Scientific Management [1911].
Taylor contributed to the study of management in the following areas:
 The need to develop scientific methods of doing things rather than opinion and rule-of-thumb.
 Scientific selection of workers with properly defined roles and responsibilities.
 Scientific education, training and development of the worker
 Scientific development of intimate, friendly and co-operative spirit between management and labour.
According to Taylor, the success of the above principles required a complete mental revolution on the part of management and labour. This required substituting facts or scientific method for intuition, opinion and guesswork.
Taylor was concerned with finding the one best way to perform a task. His basic philosophy of work was based on motivation. He believed that prosperity of both the employer and the worker could only be achieved through maximizing productivity. Taylor suggested that organisations would be more efficient if their knowledge, experience and practices were analysed and the best methods established by management.
Implications of Taylor‘s work
Managers have now realised the need to assign roles and responsibilities. Managers now apply the principles of division of labour and specialization. Managers now design an organizational structure, recruit workers and fit them into the organization with well–defined roles and responsibilities.
Managers at the shop–floor of manufacturing concerns now appreciate correct sequence of manufacturing operations through appropriate plant layout- product, process, fixed position etc.
Examples of Taylor’s Scientific Studies
He analysed and timed steel worker movement on series of jobs. Using time study as a base, he broke each job down into its components and designed the quickest and best methods of doing each component of the job[task] the conclusion was that, he was able to allot the optimum time for performing a task given the equipment and material on hand.
He also recommended appropriate compensation for more productive workers in relation to others based on a scientifically correct rate that would benefit both the worker and the organization.
The Gilbreths [husband and wife team]
The Gilbreths are credited with motion study even though Taylor mentioned it in his work. Motion study [movement on task] is the science of reducing a job or task to its basic physical motions. It is regarded as the cornerstone of scientific management.
In consultation with their senior colleague, Taylor, the Gilbreths were able to reduce the number of movements in laying bricks from 18 movements per brick to 5 movements per brick. In this way, individual output increased from 120 to 350 bricks laid per hour.
The Gilbreths were concerned with the application of measurement to management and abiding by the results. They were also concerned with finding the one best scientific way of doing things.
As employers, they did their best to practice what they preached. They laid down systematic and scientific rules and procedures for doing work and insisted on strict adherence to them. In this way, workers had no or little discretion. In reciprocity, workers were paid fair above competitive rates.
The work of Gilbreths established the foundation for later advances in the areas of job simplification, work standards, and incentive wage plans. According to the Gilbreths, motion and fatigue are intertwined, i.e. a reduction in motion leads to a reduction in fatigue, all other things being equal.
Henry L. Gantt [1861-1991]
Gantt was another disciple of Taylor after the Gilbreths in the field of scientific management. He worked with Taylor on several scientific projects at Midvale and Bethlehem. He later went out on his own as a consulting industrial engineer.
Gantt was not happy that Taylor placed too much emphasis on scientific methods of doing things to the neglect of the individual worker whose general welfare will facilitate the success of the scientific method.
He was also not in favour of the differential reward system since to him, had little motivational impact. His new idea on reward system was as follows:
Every worker who completed a day‟s assigned workload was to be given a 50-cent bonus. The next reward system was a bonus for each worker who accomplished the set standard and additional bonus if all the workers collectively achieve the standard. To Gantt this reward system would spur supervisors on to train their workers to work hard and earn more.
Contributions/benefits from scientific management
 Scientific approach to doing things leads to general improvement in working conditions.
 Scientific improvement in working methods leads to increased in productivity all other things being equal.
 It enables workers to be paid by results and to take advantage of packages.
 The scientific approach to management enable managers to adopt a more positive role in leadership styles at the shop floor level in particular.
 It was the basis and the foundation for advanced studies [motion study]
 It created orderliness through a well-designed organizational structure.
 It reduced putting square pegs in round holes since workers were carefully selected based on their abilities to do a particular work.
 It emphasized the importance of training and development of employees to enhance their productive efficiency.
 It provided supervisors with the necessary support to make them more effective
Limitations/drawbacks of the scientific management
 Workers resented Taylor‟s position expressing anxiety that working faster or harder will exhaust work and may lead to redundancy and consequently lay-offs.
 The faster work rate which implied speed up was criticized since it exerted pressure on the work force to achieve a set standard to qualify for an incentive package.
 Scientific management had little regard for human feelings and sentiments. The emphasis was too much on hard work and increased productivity.
 Greater emphasis on productivity and profitability made the manager to exploit the worker and the buyer of his products.
 The worker was made a rigid adherent to methods and procedures to the detriment of discretion and initiative.
 It narrowed motivation to bonus system of incentive to the neglect of other methods of motivation such as respect for human rights.
 The approach gave managers at the workplace the exclusive right to plan and control activities.
 The system of bargaining for conditions of work was absent since every job was scientifically measured, timed and rated.
2.4.3 Administrative management principles/theory
The administrative principles/theory was also regarded as classical organization theory. Its two major purposes are;
 To develop basic principles that could guide the design creation, and maintenance of large organizations;
 To identify the basic functions of managing organizations.
Henri Fayol [1841-1925]
He was French industrialist and had extensive business experience. He founded the classical approach. He started work as a mining engineer at the age of 19. He spent his entire working life with the same company and rose to become the managing director at the age of 47 and retired at the age of 77. He published his lifetime working experience in his book “Administration
Industrielle et generate in 1916”. The book was later translated by Storrs [1949] into English to read General and Industrial Management.
Fayol‟s concern was on the totality of an organization. To him, management was the most neglected aspect of business operation. Before Fayol, the general believe was that managers are born and not made. That is to say, no one could become a manager through formal training.
However, Fayol was of the view that management was a skill like any other, and that, it could be taught once its underlying principles were understood. He was thus given the following accolades:
 Father of classical approach
 Practical man of Management
 Father of modern management theory
Key areas of Contribution
Fayol contributed to modern management theory through the development of his 14 Principles [blue-print of management].
1. Division of labour
Fayol‟s objective here was to maximize both the amount and quality of production for a given degree of effort, hence he argued for the advantages of specialization. An interesting idea he raises particularly in relation to Taylor‟s ideas (which will be discussed in later chapters) is that there are limits to the division of labour, which experience teaches us should not be exceeded.
2. Authority and responsibility
Fayol suggests that management has the right to give orders and to expect obedience. Managers derive authority either from their official position or personal qualities. “Wherever authority is exercised, responsibility arises.” Fayol (1949).
3. Discipline
Fayol argued that discipline marks a mutual respect between the organization and its employees. He embodies the principle that a manager can take sanctions in the case of a breakdown of discipline.
4. Unity of command
“For any action whatsoever, an employee should receive orders from one superior only.” Fayol (1949).Thus he argues that authority should be clearly allocated and suggests that if command is divided or unclear it is a continual source of conflict.
5. Unity of direction
He argues that for any group of activities with the same objective, there should be one clear leader and one clear plan so as to provide for unity of action.
6. Subordination of individual interest to general interest
In any organization there will at least be times when individual interests differ from the interests of the organization. Fayol argues, “The interests of one employee or group of employees should not prevail over the interests of the concern or organisation.”
7. Remuneration of personnel
Salaries - the price of services rendered by employees - should be fair and provide satisfaction both to the employee and employer. It shall not go beyond reasonable limits.
8. Centralization
The degree of centralization, Fayol argues, is a question of proportion and will vary according to different cases. It will depend, he argues on the character of the manager, the condition of the business and the reliability of the subordinates to whom the manager can delegate.
9. Scalar chain
Fayol argues for a clear chain of authority through which communication should flow. He did however appreciate that some activities require speedy action and recognizes that it was appropriate for people at the same level of the organisation to communicate directly. Notably he
required superiors to approve any such communication. He also expected “some measure of initiative at all levels of authority.” Fayol (1949)
10. Order
Fayol approved of both social and physical order. This could be summarized as – the right thing in the right place at the right time. Appropriate selection should ensure competent people are in place, their tasks, responsibilities and places of work should be clear. Echoes of this approach are clearly apparent in what are seen as relatively new practices such as Just in Time.
11. Equity
Managers are encouraged to be both fair and friendly to employees. Fayol argues, “Equity requires much good sense, experience and good nature.” Fayol (1949)
12. Stability of tenure of personnel
Fayol felt that high employee turnover was not the best and that mangers in particular, if they were to develop themselves fully, required as much security as was possible. He noted however that the stability it was possible to generate in any industry depended on the commercial environment in which the organization was operating.
13. Initiative
Fayol argues that initiative is a source of strength for an organization, particularly in times of difficulty. Initiative he felt should be encouraged at all levels and “The manager must be able to sacrifice some personal vanity to grant this satisfaction to subordinates” Fayol (1949). In a sentiment as appropriate today as it was at the turn of the century he states “A manger able to do so is infinitely superior to one who cannot.
14. Esprit de corps
In a sentiment possibly borrowed from the military, Fayol outlines the importance of harmony within, and commitment to, the organization. He describes in particular two methods to help build such a spirit, the use of verbal rather than written communication wherever possible and secondly the avoidance of encouraging dissension among subordinates.
While Fayol‟s principles are widely quoted, he did not intend them to be set in stone but rather as guidance for management action, which must always take into consideration the prevailing circumstances.
Functions/Process of Management
Planning- Selecting the activities and methods for achieving them, either for the organisation as a whole of for a part of it.
Organizing- Establishing the structure of the tasks to be performed to achieve the goals of the organisation; grouping these tasks into jobs for an individual; creating groups of jobs within departments, delegating authority to carry out these jobs, providing systems of information and communication and co-ordinating activities within the organisation.
Commanding- Giving instructions to subordinates to carry out tasks over which the manager has authority for decision and responsibility for performance.
Co-ordinating– Harmonising the activities of individuals and groups within the organisation. Management must reconcile differences in approach, effort, interest and timing.
Controlling - Measuring and correcting activities to ensure that performance is in accordance with plans. Plans will not be achieved unless activities are monitored; and deviations identified and corrected as soon as they become apparent.
These functions have been re-organized into planning, organizing, directing/leading and controlling.
Lyndall F. Urwick
He was a prolific writer on administration and management. He had rich working experience in industry business consultancy and the armed forces. He was strongly influenced by the ideas of Henri Fayol in particular. He advocated the use of principles as the only way social organization
could be controlled .He translated this into his best known-book “The Elements of Administration” published in 1947.
His principles of management represented a code of good practice which he claimed if strictly adhered to should lead to success in administration or management. His work resulted in the development of the following ten (10) principles:
1. Objective
2. Specialization
3. Co-ordination
4. Authority
5. Responsibility
6. Definition [job]
7. Correspondence [authority and responsibility]
8. Span of control
9. Balance [of all depths]
10. Continuity [going concern]
Urwick principles concentrated more on getting the organizational mechanisms right rather than focussing on issues such as remuneration and morale.
A major weakness of Urwick principles is its concentration on the internal environment to the detriment of the external environment. No organization can succeed without the external environment. This is because; organizations are open-systems not self-contained. They have to respond to pressures from the external environment-social, economic, cultural, political, etc.
Urwick also identified the key functions/process of management to be planning, organizing and controlling. He expanded the controlling function to include staffing, selecting and placing. His
controlling function served as the foundation or the forerunner to personnel /human resources management and the human relations approach to management.
E. F. L. Brech
Even though Brech shared the opinion of using principles, he was concerned with the development of people in organizations. He was less advocate of the use of principles. Instead, he emphasized the use of flexibility according to a particular situation. He also emphasized the need for written definitions of responsibilities and the value of job descriptions as an aid to effective organization and delegation.
Breech sees management as a social process, for planning and regulating the operations of an enterprise towards an agreed objective. To him, the process is carried out within a framework known as organizational structure.
He argued that the key elements in developing an organizational structure are:
 Defining the responsibilities of management, supervisors and specialist personnel.
 Determining how the responsibilities should be shared.
 Co-ordinating the execution of the responsibilities
 Maintaining a high level of morale among personnel.
Brech‟s principles of management overlap those of Fayol and Urwick. However, they are less dogmatic than the others. Some of his principles are division of responsibilities, clear lines of communication, unity of command, and allocation of authority. His principles are contained in his book The Principles and Practice of Management [1975].
Brech regrets that there are no generally accepted principles of management since each writer has formulated his own principles. In the absent of general agreement on the fundamental body of principles, Brech finds it difficult to regard management as a science or a profession
Contributions/benefits from the administrative theory
The numerous principles that have evolved have provided blue- prints in management. The works of Fayol, Follett and others have set the foundations for present emphasis on the key components of the function/process of management-planning, organizing, directing/leading and controlling. Follette‟s principle of making every worker part owner in a business is still valid today as we often hear of workers in troubled unionised organizations agitating to take up ownership and management by using their end-of-service benefits to buy shares. It has enhanced and promoted the skills of managers. The use of principles makes room for little deviations since the principles provide blue-print and direction. In this way, trial and error are minimized.
Criticisms /Drawbacks to the Administrative Principles. Dogmatic adherence to principles stifles initiative and discretionary use of authority Principles are not applicable in all situations since we are in a dynamic environment. They cannot be used as rule-of-thumb Since organizations cannot function without people, the disregard for human factors that will apply the principles is a serious drawback to the Administrative Principle.
2.4.4 Bureaucratic Management
This is the third arm of the classical approach. The most important personality associated with bureaucracy is Max Weber [1864-1920]. As a German sociologist, psychologist and a practising manager, he was the key innovator of the concept of bureaucracy. His views on bureaucracy were published in his book “The Theory of Social and Economic Organization” He used bureaucracy to describe a form of organization that exists in almost every organization.
The concept of bureaucracy often referred to as “red tapeism” i.e. too many rules, regulations and paperwork which often lead to inefficiency. It is referred to as officialdom i.e. all the apparatus of central and local government.
The concern of Weber was on bureaucracy as a form of organization with hierarchy of authority regulated by rules and regulations. He saw the development of bureaucracy as a means of introducing order and rationality into social life.
He identified the characteristics/features of bureaucracy as follows: Every organization functions continuously through rules and regulations. Need for competence, division of labour and specialization. Allocation of authority regulated by rule. Appointment to positions/offices made on the basis of technical competence A hierarchical arrangement of offices/jobs i.e. work should be arranged in hierarchical order with control systems. The need to separate working staff from the ownership of the organization. Rules, decisions and actions are formulated and recorded in writing. Official positions exist in their own right and the job holder has no right to a particular position except through promotion or initial occupation based on merit.
According to Weber, the above characteristics/features make bureaucratic organizations capable of attaining the highest degree of efficiency since to him, it is the most rational means of controlling workers or members in an organizations. He believed that bureaucracy is indispensable for the needs of large-scale organizations. The size [large] and complex nature of organizations make bureaucracy inevitable in such organizations.
Weber’s legitimate authority
Max Weber identified three types of legitimate authority:
Traditional authority- This is where acceptance of authority is based on tradition and custom.
Charismatic authority- The acceptance of authority is based on loyalty to, and confidence in the personal qualities of a person in authority.
Rational-Legal authority –This is also based on the office or the position a person legitimately occupies; regulated by rules and procedures of the organization.
Contributions/benefits from Weber’s bureaucracy
 The need for fairness and uniformity of treatment of workers demands bureaucracy.
 Adherence to rules and procedures does not make room for arbitrariness.
 The element of hierarchy of authority creates orderliness and respect for higher authority.
 The elements of division of labour and specialization put the worker on the right job/task.
Limitations/drawbacks of Weber’s bureaucracy
 Too much emphasis on rules, procedures, record-keeping and paperwork may lead to delay and inefficiency.
 There is the tendency of workers to place too much reliance on rules and procedures to the detriment of initiative and discretion.
 Bureaucracy does not make room for flexibility and adaptation
 It disregards informal organization and the development of groups with their own goals.
2.5 THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH
It was made up of a group of management scholars trained in behavioural disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology and related fields who used their diverse knowledge to propose more effective ways to manage people in an organisation. It was developed to take care of the human element in organizations which was a major limitation of the classical approach. The major assumption that underlines the behavioural approach is that people are social and self-actualizing.
2.5.1 Dimensions of the Behavioural Approach
Human Relations
This approach deals with how managers interact with their workers. Proper “worker management” leads to organizational harmony and increases productivity. Many antagonisms, suspicions, acrimonies, wrangling, strikes, riots, demonstrations, etc. are often the result of how people in an organization are treated. In a wider perspective, the way the government manages the various ethnic factions can also affect the relations between the government and certain ethnic groups.
Human relations sub-approach was founded by Prof. Elton Mayo (1880-1949).
The approach is deeply rooted in the social environment and personality trait of the manager unlike the classical approach which emphasized the physical environment. Expert in this approach say that managers should be trained in both „technical skills‟ and „people skill‟.
The main underlying principle in this approach is that the achievement of organisational effectiveness depends on how people’s needs and wants are satisfied. Under the human relations approach, managers must know why their subordinates behave in a certain way and the psychological and social factors that influence them. The human relations approach led to the famous Hawthorne Experiment conducted by Prof. Elton Mayo.
Hawthorne Experiments
The genesis of the experiments was the desire of the National Research Council [NRC] of the National Academy of Sciences to study how lighting in the workplace influenced individual efficiency. This led to what has become popularly known as the Hawthorne Studies.
The experiments conducted by Mayo at Western Electric were;
 To determine the effects/impacts of changes in illumination on worker productivity.
 The determine the effects of work-related periods, coffee breaks, shortened work days and other changes in working conditions on worker productivity. This was the relay assembly room experiments.
 To interview workers to determine workers‟ attitude.
 To analyse the various social factors at work.
Douglas Murray McGregor [1906-1964)
McGregor developed Theory X and Theory Y which are sets of assumptions about human behaviour. He wrote the book “The Human Side of Enterprise”
Theory X regards employees as being inherently lazy, requiring coercion and control, avoiding responsibility and only seeking security. Under this theory, work is distasteful and therefore workers must be directed and motivated through force, pecuniary consideration (financial incentives) and praise to achieve results.
Theory Y sees man in a more favourable position. It regards employees as liking work which is regarded as natural. That the worker should not be directed, controlled and coerced if he is committed to the directives of the organization. Under this theory, the worker will accept responsibility.
The above theories have become the basis for the extreme forms of management style that managers are using. A blend of the two theories may provide the best prescription for effective management.
Abraham H. Maslow
As a motivation theorist, his hierarchy of needs influenced the work habits of people at the workplace. He identified the levels of needs to be:
 Physiological needs
 Safety needs
 Love/Affection needs
 Esteem/Ego needs
 Self-Actualization
According to Maslow, the manager should know the level of the hierarchy on which his subordinates are so that he can apply the appropriate motivational factors to move them up to the next level of hierarchy. The behaviour of workers will to some extend be influenced by the degree to which their needs are satisfied.
2.6 SYSTEMS THEORY
During the 1940s and World War II, systems analysis emerged. This viewpoint uses systems concepts and quantitative approaches from mathematics, statistics, engineering, and other related fields to solve problems. Managers find optimal solutions to management problems by using scientific analysis which is closely associated with the systems approach to management. A system is an interrelated and interdependent set of elements functioning as a whole. It is an open system that interacts with its environment. It is composed of inputs from the environment (material or human resources), transformation processes of inputs to finished goods (technological and managerial processes), outputs of those finished goods into the environment (products or services), and feedback (reactions from the environment). Subsystems are systems within a broader system. Interdependent subsystems (such as production, finance, and human resources) work toward synergy in an attempt to accomplish an organizational goal that could not otherwise be accomplished by a single subsystem. Systems develop synergy. This is a condition in which the combined and coordinated actions of the parts of a system achieve more than all the parts could have achieved acting independently. Entropy is the process that leads to decline.
2.6.1 Contribution of the System Approach
 It ended the dominance of the classical and the behavioural approaches.
 It blended the opposing views of both the classical approach and the behavioural approach.
 It brought to fore the important role the environments and its elements play on business activities.
 It cautions managers to be circumspect in the decision-making process since a decision made in one department can affect almost all the other departments
 It creates the awareness of sub-systems each with potentially conflicting roles and goals which must be integrated.
 It focuses attention on inter-relationships between it and its environment i.e. the need of the system as a whole.
2.6.2 Limitations/Drawbacks/Criticisms of the Systems Approach
 It is perceived that some organizations operate successfully and achieve their corporate objectives under the closed system i.e. without recourse to the external environment. Examples are Catholic Monastery and the Trokosi in the Volta Region of Ghana.
 The environment and its elements sometimes have negative impact on organization. The external environment has negative socio-cultural practices that may adversely affect other organizations that may relate to it.
 Breakdown of a sub-system of a system may affect all the other systems and a general breakdown of the entire systems.
 The impact of a decision in one department on the entire organization may cause managers to be over-circumspect. This may lead to delays in decisions or no decisions at all.
2.7 CONTINGENCY VIEW
In the mid-1960s, the contingency view of management or situational approach emerged. This view emphasizes the fit between organization processes and the characteristics of the situation. It calls for fitting the structure of the organization to various possible or chance events. It questions the use of universal management practices and advocates using traditional, behavioural, and systems viewpoints independently or in combination to deal with various circumstances. The contingency approach assumes that managerial behaviour is dependent on a wide variety of elements. Thus, it provides a framework for integrating the knowledge of management thought.
2.7.1 Contributions to the Contingency Approach
 It gives rise to the notion that different problems require different methods of approaches of solution.
 It calls for the application of different management styles in dealing with different situations.
 It has eliminated some of the loopholes associated with the classical approach. For example, the classical approach wanted to find only one best way of doing things. The contingency approach does not subscribe to this.
 It creates a synthesis and a collaborated relationship among other approaches.
2.7.2 Limitations/Drawbacks/Criticisms of the Contingency Approach
 The ideal of psychic unity of mankind implies that certain principles and perceptions are capable of universal application.
 Different management styles based on situational analysis may not always yield the same expected results.
2.8 Management Science/ Quantitative approach
The emphasis of this approach is on the use of quantitative techniques in solving management related problems in the areas of Statistics, Mathematics and Computers. This approach emerged out of Operation Research approach. As a result the two [management science and operations Research] are often used interchangeably/synonymously. The focus of the approach is on technical problems rather than on Human/personal problems. The computer has emerged as a very important facilitator to this approach. Why?
2.8.1 Practical application of management science approach includes:
1. Mathematical forecasting- for projections into the future for planning purposes.
2. Inventory modelling- to exercise effective control over inventories by mathematically establishing how much/many to order and produce.
3. Linear programming- it deals with the allocation and utilization of scarce resources among competing ends/uses.
4. Queuing theory- it deals with the facilitation and allocation of service personal or work stations to minimize customer waiting time and service cost.
5. Network model/analysis- breaking large tasks into smaller and simple components so that they can be properly worked on. It can also be used to map out programmes of activities in such a way as to create the most effective planning and control.
6. Simulation- make models of problems to create hypothetical situations to test different solutions under various assumptions
2.8.2 The above techniques aim at;
i. Rational decision
ii. Economic viability of such decisions based on proper cost, revenues and returns on investment analysis.
iii. Using appropriate mathematical models based on formulas and rules.
iv. Using computers for faster processing of large mass of data.
2.8.3 Contributions of the Management Science Approach
 Introduction of the various techniques.
 Use of mathematical models in dealing with productions issues often lead to concise and unambiguous solutions in contrast with the behavioural approach.
 It has improved on the mathematics/quantitative reflexes of managers.
2.8.4 Limitations of the Management Science Approach
 The fact that management is a behavioural science implies that it is not in all cases that a mathematical model can be used to explain why a person behaves in a certain manner towards another.
 The use of computer in analysing certain events may sometimes be influenced by human beings who operate it and this may lead to manipulation of figures.