Behavioral views Of Management

Organizational behavior studies and research includes behavioral views of management, human resource, leadership, team building, and how to resolve conflict in the organization and between individuals. Following four researchers are in favor of the organizational approach Robert Owen, Hugo Munsterberg, Mary Parker Follett and Chester Branard. 

Robert Owen was a successful businessman and he proposed an idealistic workplace for the individuals working in the organization.

Hugo Munsterberg propose a scientific study of individuals at work to maximize their productivity and how people adjust in different situation while they are working. He defined method to identify best suited individuals for a particular job, he also identify the psychological conditions for optimum efficiency and ways to influence the individual behavior to be compatible with organization’s objectives.

Mary Parker Follett was a social philosopher, she propose and thought how managers harmonize and coordinate group efforts while they are working. She focuses on the importance of the functioning groups instead of individuals in the institutions.  She also focuses on management employee relations rather than power over. She point out how to rectify and resolve conflicts and how to satisfy both parties by resolving their disputes.

Lastly, Chester Barnard who was president of New Jersey Bell Telecommunication, he purpose that organization is a social unit and required human interaction. He believes that managers must communicate and stimulate their subordinates to achieve their goals by making high level of efforts. Further he proposed that how managers examine the working environment and how they adjust themselves as well as their subordinates, so that organization should maintain a state of equilibrium.

Many theories were presented on Behavioral theories of Management. A short snapshot of these theories are under.

Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) developed a theory of motivation that was based on following three assumptions regarding human nature.

Human beings needs never completely satisfied.

Human behavior is intended to satisfying those needs that are unsatisfied at a given point in time. Needs are classified as basic, lower-level needs to higher-level needs. These needs are includes Physiological needs, safety, belonging or socialization and self-esteem and self-actualization needs. All these human needs are impossible to fulfill and completely satisfied.

Douglas McGregor (1906-1964) developed the Theory X and Theory Y

Theory X, describe managers assume that workers are lazy, need to be forced, have little ambition, and are focused on security needs. These managers then treat their subordinates as if these assumptions were true.

Theory Y managers assume that workers do not inherently dislike work, they are capable of self-control, workers have the capacity to be creative and innovative, and generally have higher-level needs that are often not met on the job. These managers   their subordinates as if these assumptions were true. Due to workers, like and dislike, worker performance may be up and down and their expectation may also be up or down.

The Behavioral Science Approach:

It emphasizes that scientific research is a foundation for developing theories about human behavior in organizations and the results of that scientific research used to develop practical guidelines for managers. The behavioral science approach emphases on developing useful tools for managers.

Contributions of the Behavioral Viewpoint:

1. Focus the importance of communication, group dynamics, motivation, and leadership
2. Articulates practical applications of behavioral studies.
3. Behavioral viewpoint of management draw number of disciplines such as management, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and economics.
4. Behavioral view point of management consider organization’s employee as valuable resources rather than a tool.