Principles of Management Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental concepts, nature, and significance of management principles, focusing on the administrative theory of Henry Fayol and the scientific management theory of Fredrick Winslow Taylor.

Principle

A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning.

Universal application

A nature of management principles meaning they can be applied to all types of organizations, irrespective of their size, nature, or level of management.

Cause and effect relationship

The basis for management principles to determine the reason for a particular result, such as how good wages increase worker output.

Henry Fayol (1841-1925)

A French mining engineer and successful industrialist known as the 'Father of Modern Management' who proposed 14 principles of management.

General and Industrial Administration

The famous book written by Henry Fayol in which he explained his 14 principles of management.

Principle of Division of Work

The principle of dividing work into technical, financial, commercial, security, accounting, and managerial kinds to improve efficiency and expertise.

Authority

The right to take decisions; it must always be accompanied by a corresponding responsibility.

Principle of Unity of Command

The concept that each member of an organization should receive orders from only one superior to avoid confusion and manage conflicts.

Principle of Unity of Direction

A principle stating 'there should be one head and one plan' where each group in the organization has the same objective directed by one manager.

Centralization

The concentration of powers and authorities in one or a few hands, typically occurring in small organizations.

Scalar Chain

The hierarchy of authority from the top level to the lower level for the purpose of orderly communication.

Gang Plank

Direct or cross communication followed to avoid delays in a scalar chain, typically used in emergency situations with proper permission.

Principle of Order

A principle based on 'A place for everything and everything in its place' to ensure maximum efficiency of human and physical resources.

Principle of Esprit de corps

A principle emphasizing team work and the idea that 'union is strength,' where managers create a spirit of understanding among employees.

Fredrick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915)

An American machinist who rose to Chief Engineer at Midvale Steelworks and is known as the 'Father of Scientific Management'.

Scientific Management

Consists of knowing exactly what management wants men to do and ensuring they do it in the best and cheapest manner.

Mental Revolution

A principle by Taylor focusing on a change in attitude of employees and management toward each other, realizing their equal importance.

Work Study

An organized and systematic assessment of activities based on time study, motion study, method study, and fatigue study.

Time Study

The technique of observing and recording the time taken by an employee to determine the standard time required for a task.

Motion Study

The study of the movement of an employee and machine to eliminate unnecessary motions and find the best method for a job.

Fatigue Study

The study of physical and mental stress caused by long hours or poor conditions, aimed at maintaining operational efficiency.

Functional Organization

A concept by Taylor where planning is separated from implementation, involving eight specialized foremen to supervise workers.

Route Clerk

A planning-level foreman who tells how work moves from one machine to another.

Gang Boss

An implementation-level foreman who is responsible for actually getting the work done.

Differential Piece-Rate Wage Plan

A system where higher rates are offered to employees completing work above the standard quantity to motivate higher performance.