Nirma University

Institute of Management

ELT - Individual Assignment

Topic of the Assignment: Management Concepts as demonstrated in Animal Farm

Class: SYBBA (A)

Roll No. 167159
Name: Tushar Prajapati
Date: 15/03/18
The novel, Animal farm by George Orwell, reflects the events post the Russian Revolution of 1917. The
principles of management by Henri Fayol- division of work, authority and responsibility, unity of
direction and the functions of management - organising and planning with the concept of leadership are
well linked and depicted throughout the story of Animal Farm.

PLANNING

The process of planning begins with defining a goal and finding out the most effective and efficient
course of action required to achieve that goal/objective.

In chapter five of the novel, Snowball decides to survey the land and formulate plans for a windmill. The
windmill would generate electricity which would help the animals enjoy a better standard of living.
These plans of Snowball are in favour of the farm animals who wish to live a life of prosperity and
freedom.

ORGANISING

The function of organising involves determining activities that are required to be carried out to achieve
the planned goals, allocating and assigning these activities to the subordinates and assigning authority
to perform work in an organized manner.

The sand and cement in the outhouse and the limestone quarry on the farm is known of by the animals.
To break up the stone for the windmill, the animals decide to use the force of gravity. The animals
throw bowlders over the edge of the quarry because they cannot use human tools such as crowbars
and picks.

LEADERSHIP

“Leaders who initiate or provide structure set the direction of the work unit, organize their employees
and define their roles, often assigning them to particular tasks, emphasizing deadlines, and establishing
communication channels”, Johnson, A., & Luthans, F. (1990).

Both Snowball and Napoleon depict distinctive leadership styles. Snowball is a more excited and
vivacious pig who is more innovative than Napoleon. Snowball is additionally dynamic and works hard
on different projects for the farm. His enthusiastic and hardworking attitude, innovative nature and
powerful speaking skills help him in becoming an effective leader. His hands-on approach additionally
makes him an amiable figure among the animals of the farm and his courageous personality is evident
in the Battle of Cowshed. Basically, Snowball is a caring and enthusiastic leader who wishes to
enhance the lives of every farm animal.

Interestingly Napoleon is a sombre pig whose appearance has more profoundness of character than
Snowball. Not at all like Snowball, Napoleon operates behind the scenes and figures out how to take
away things as instead of making them. He is a politician who is shrewd in nature, who leads through
power, terror and intimidation. Subsequent to usurping power, Napoleon utilizes Squealer to spread lies
and control the farm animals into supporting each choice he makes. Napoleon additionally uses his
terrifying dogs to scare and threaten the animals who challenge his power.
DIVISION OF WORK

This was the first principle that was proposed by Henri Fayol, a French philosopher and engineer. This
rule expresses that people perform better when work is divided and allotted by the specialization. Work
ought to be separated among the individuals that can do the work and not be burdened on any single
individual.

In the novel, the animals of the farm spend a relentless summer collecting in the fields. The shrewd
pigs consider different ways for the animals to utilize the human devices, and each animal takes part in
the work, each according to his ability. "The animals were happy as they had never conceived it
possible to be. Every mouthful of food was an acute positive pleasure, now that it was truly their own
food, produced by themselves and for themselves, not doled out to them by a grudging master.", these
lines from chapter 3 of the novel state that the work done by the animals resulted in the harvest that
was generated in bulk and surplus amounts. The hard-working and mighty Boxer does a large portion
of the heavy work, adopting "I will work harder!" as a motto. The whole animal community admires his
commitment and strength.

AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

This principle by Henri Fayol states that in order to accomplish a task and get work done, the
management of an organisation has the authority to give orders and directions to the employees and
subordinates.

In Animal Farm, Napoleon blames Snowball for devastating the windmill and encourages the animals of
the farm, "Forward, comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm". Napoleon remains a
leader who the animals of the farm follow - they can't see another decision, in any case, particularly
with Mr. Jones and Snowball playing the role of foes. Squealer serves as the understandable
mouthpiece for Napoleon. Squealer can curve words and alter implications to help Napoleon in fulfilling
his needs.

UNITY OF DIRECTION

This principle implies that every worker having the same goal must be coordinated towards the
accomplishment of the shared objective. Every employee in an organisation must deliver the activities
that can be directly linked to the organisational objectives.

During the harvest in Animal Farm, every animal had different roles to play. The pigs became the
supervisors owing to their intelligence. Boxer and Clover, the two horses, knew how to plough and thus
did the work of ploughing. The collection of hay was done by other animals in which the hens and
ducks had a role to play as well. Mollie woke up late to do the work and left the field by finding an
excuse. Before the beginning of the work, the cats would usually disappear and the other animals
would do their share of work each day. These activities performed by differently animals ultimately
contributed to the first harvest and the biggest one that the animals had ever had.
REFERENCES

Caskey, C. (1972). The Four Functions of Management. Journal (American Water Works Association),
64(6), 361-366. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41266737

Johnson, A., & Luthans, F. (1990). The Relationship Between Leadership And Management: An
Empirical Assessment. Journal of Managerial Issues, 2(1), 13-25. Retrieved
from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40603704

Tripathi, P. and Reddy, P. (2017). Principles of Management. 6th ed. Chennai: McGraw Hill Education.