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Midterm Paper
By
Ryann Lee
PADM 501
Liberty University
Summer 2020
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The purpose of this paper is to name three scholars that are credited with the
development of classical organization thought that fits into the definition of Classical
Organizational Theory. The basic argument articulated by each scholar and their contributions
to the development of Classical Organizational Theory will be identified. According to
Milakovich & Gordon (2012, p. 145), "Organizational theory deals with the formal structure,
internal workings, and external environment of comples human behavior with organizations.
Organizational Theory has been research in fields of study that consists of business
administration, economics, political science, phychology, statistics, sociology and public
administration.
According to Milakovich & Gordan (2012, p. 146-149), Max Weber was a German
sociologist known for the bureaucratic model. The model consist of the following five key
elements: Division of labor and functional specialization establishes the work type and purpose
with emphasis on scope creep. Hierarchy outlines the vertical chain of command and who is
superior above and below at a given position. Formal framework of rules and procedures is
designed to ensure reliability and accountability. Maintenance of files and other records help in
providing reference to past actions and how the actions where handled. Professionalization is
employees being hired based on qualifications and job skills. Legal and rational authority was
the bases of the model of bureaucracy. The main objective was to have control from the top
down over all organizational activites and needs with a hierarchical structure. Weber’s theory is
derived on the idea of accountability, equity, lines of authority and discretionary power.
According to Milakovich & Gordon (2012, p. 149-151), Frederick Taylor developed the
" scientific management theory" which focused on private industry. Frederick Taylor’s model
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consist of fours values being the following: Efficiency involves obtaining maximum production
from resources. Rationality address the work type, procedures, and the direct objectives.
Productivity involves reaching and maintaining the highest level of production at all times.
Profit is the result of everyone trying to reach the ultimate objective. According to Haveman &
Wetts (2018), Frederick Taylor sought to resident industrial work in the following six simple
steps: "Find the most productive worker. Break the tasks this worker performs into their
simplest components and formalize these tasks insto a set of rules and procedures that all other
workers can follow. Analyze human capacities to perform these formalized tasks. Hire and train
unskilled workers. Set goals for theem consistent with their human capacities. Link financial
and career rewards to ask performance". Taylor's Model is derived on increase productive and
profits.
According to Heames, Pryor & Taneja (2010), Henri Fayol had success in four careers
as a mining engineering, geologist, industrial leader and philosopher of administration. He
believed that the five elemnts or functions of management are planning, organizing,
coordination, command, and control. According to Milakovich & Gordan (2012, p. 152),
Henri Fayol , F.W. Willoughby, and the team of Luther Gulick and Lyndall helped create the
essential themes of the principles approach. The theme consists of the follwoing: "Unity of
command—direction by a single individual at each level of an or- ganization and at the top of
the structure. Hierarchy—the vertical ordering of superior–subordinate relations in an
organization, with a clearly defined chain of command. Functional specialization—division of
labor and subject-matter specializa- tion as a main contributor to work efficiency. Narrow span
of control—each supervisor having responsibility for the activities of a limited number of
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subordinates. Authority parallel with responsibility—each responsible official endowed with
the authority necessary to direct operations in the particular organizational unit. Rational
organizational arrangement—planning the organization accord- ing to function or purpose,
geographic area, process performed, or people served." Fayol also believed continuous training
of personal enhances organizational capacity and effectiveness.
Weber, Taylor and Fayol are considered to be some of the scholars that contributed to
Classical Organizational Theory. These three scholars can be considered rationlists and
functionalists because of similar theories and concepts aside from having different
prospectives. These three scholars provide theories that arent perfect and shouldn't be applied
in every circumstance, but provide great knowledge on strategic elements. In the bible, 1
Tmothy 5:17, it says, " The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered
wothry of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and
teaching (the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ)."
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Reference
Rational organizational arrangement—planning the organization accord- ing to function or
purpose, geographic area, process performed, or people served (Milakovich, 20120101)
Haveman, H. A., & Wetts, R. (2018, September 4). Organizational theory: From classical
sciology to the 1970s. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1111/soc4.12627
Heames, J., Golden Pryor, M., & Taneja, S. (2010, September 28). Henri Fayol, practitioner
and theoretician - revered and reviled. https://www-emerald-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/insight/content/doi/10.1108/17511341011073960/full/html
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