Organizational Theory: Classical Theories

Flashcards covering classical organizational theories including Scientific Management, Bureaucracy, and Administrative Management, with their key proponents, principles, applications, and potential negatives.

What do organizational theories tell us about organizations?

They explain why organizations vary in structure, how differences can be explained, offer potential explanations for observed patterns, provide guidelines for improving efficiency and effectiveness, and offer insights into enhancing employee productivity.

What is the general argument of Classical Theories regarding organizations?

Organizations are organized by predetermined goals to lead to maximum efficiency and are rationally oriented toward goal achievement.

What are the three main perspectives within Classical Theory?

Scientific Management, Bureaucracy, and Administrative Management.

Who is associated with the Scientific Management theory and what was his primary concern?

Fredrick Taylor (1913), who was concerned with lost profits in industrial organizations due to inefficiencies and decreased worker output.

What did Taylor argue about 'scientifically informed' organizations?

They would generate 'maximum prosperity' for both the organization and worker through 'maximum productivity'.

What are some criminal justice applications of Scientific Management?

Prediction instruments, physical agility tests for law enforcement, and police response to misdemeanor domestic violence (e.g., Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment).

What is a potential negative aspect of Scientific Management?

Workers' initiative, judgment, and discretion may be considered inferior to empirically derived evidence.

Who developed the theory of Bureaucracy and what was its focus?

Max Weber (1946), focusing on the larger organization rather than the individual worker or isolated task.

What did Weber analyze regarding people's behavior in organizations?

Why people acquiesce to the demands of superiors through rational-legal principles.

What are the key principles exhibited by bureaucratic organizations?

Division of labor, hierarchy/vertical complexity, formalization, selection/advancement based on merit with employment as a career, and impersonal relations.

How can Bureaucracy be applied to criminal justice?

Late 19th and early 20th Century policing, especially during the Political Era.

What are potential negative aspects of Bureaucracy?

Inefficiency, dysfunction, focus on means but not ends (losing sight of primary purpose), worker dissatisfaction, and lack of motivation.

Who are the key figures associated with Administrative Management?

Luther Gulick (1937) and Henri Fayol (1949).

What did Administrative Management argue was required for management?

Formulating plans and getting people to work together toward achievement of planned objectives.

What are the five main functions of management according to Administrative Management?

Planning, Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating, and Controlling.

What principles facilitate the functions of management in Administrative Management?

Division of work, authority, discipline, unity of command, unity of direction, subordination of individual interests to general interests, remuneration, centralization, scalar chain, order, equity, stability of tenure of personnel, initiative, and esprit de corps.