Public Administration Theories

Student’s Name
Department, Institutional Affiliation
Course Code, Name
Date
FREDRICK TAYLOR’S
THEORY
 Description
 Taylor’s theory is highlighted as a scientific management theory that
sought to identify approaches to enhance proficiency in work processes.
 Based on this theory, it helps break down the work processes by
simplifying each small constituent unit identified as sub tasks (Al-Habil,
2021).
 This understanding is conceptualized by the systematic study of work
behavior, individuals, and roles in effort to comprehend the efficient
approaches in accomplishing a given role.
 Pros
 The initial description of management as a
profession by Taylor presented evidence in
management which avails useful tools for
managers to improve organizational
management.
 In major production systems, integration of
scientific management attributes to high
productivity (Obijuru, 2020).
 The theory promotes a win-win encounter
to the employees.
 The use of statistical control by Taylor in
analyzing work created basis for time
motion studies perceived as a useful tool
for job design.
Cons
o In Taylor’s scientific management, there was
lack of core work dimensions including
autonomy, task significance task identity, skill
variety, and feedback.
o There were associated contributions to work
monotony due to the adopted principles.
o In testing the idea of ‘Tylorism’ in a firm, there
were protests against use of stopwatches with
claims that it was dehumanizing prompting
investigation from the United States Congress
(Al-Habil, 2021).
o Despite high consideration of the new
approaches presented, some are often rebelled.
 Impact on Public Administration

■ Taylor’s theory is effective due to its ability to assist mitigate problems

experienced by the workers, management, and issues that exist in the two
groups.
■ Additionally, it helped generate an integrative remedy to vast challenges
encountered in growing and well established firms under the industrial
revolution peak (Obijuru, 2020).
MARY FOLLETT’S
THEORY
 Description
 According to Follett’s theory, effective conflict resolution incorporates
identification and sustainability of the most compatible and underlying
need in the parties involved.
 This diverges from the mere trial to sustain the requirements of each
groups since they are often diverse and promote the win-win
outcomes(McLarney & Rhyno, 2019).
 Through Follett’s view of leadership theory, genuine power does not
coerce but exists as coactive or power with.
 Thus, leaders are not expected to portray their personal power, but need
to foster power in the entire group.
 Pros
The main benefits in Follett’s theory
are;
 Presence of clear objectives
 Integration of the scalar chain
 Promoting efficacy in
communication
 Advocacy for mutual respect
Cons
Some of the setbacks in Follett’s
theory are;
• Lack of a command chain
• Provision of more democracy
• Incompatibility with modern
complex firms (McLarney &
Rhyno, 2019)
• Lack of motivation
• Lack of discipline
 Impact on Public Administration
 Notable contributions from Follett’s theory are identified in works from
Ron Lippi, Ken Benne, and Edie Seashore within the National Training
Laboratories at Bethel-Maine where the T-Group methodology was
theorized, developed, and adopted.
 Also, the theory enables accomplishment of Douglas McGregor’s
management vision.
 This is the quantum leaping within productivity which is influenced by
humanization in organizations to set a platform to establish efficient and
substantial changes in management philosophy, practice as well as style
which seeks to revolutionize and humanize firms (Schilling, M. 2020).
THE CLASSICAL
THEORY
 Description
■ The classical theory is considered as the administrative management and
structural theory approach due to its advocacy for practices in business
management and formal organizational structures.
■ Primarily, the theory is founded on creation of universal approaches for
organizations since they are considered paramount principles through
which organizations implement order (Katsamunska, 2017).
■ Thus, it is possible to achieve organizational objectives promotion
maximum workplace effectiveness and economy.
 Pros
► The theory’s ideas are practically
adopted in modern firms and
governments to guarantee labor
division, delegation, and coordination.
► It helps reinforce other administrative
theories by establishing root.
► It has successfully evaluated the
concept of formal structure in
organizations through ideas from
different scholars.
► Also, it has helped institute vast
functional blue prints for firms and
their relationships (Buttel, 2020).
Cons
 The classical theory often focuses on the
formal structure while overlooking
organizational changes and variables
making it a pro management perceived
as biased.
 There are critiques that it is empirically
incompetent and lacks universality in
application due to its principles
(Katsamunska, 2017).
 To elaborate on this, Herbert Simon
highlighted the issue the principles are
ineffective terming them as typical
statement with limited applicability.
 Impact on Public Administration
α Despite vast experiences of principle changes by a majority of the
modern thinker, it is essential to identify that classical theorists are the
main proponents of the foundation.
α It has helped the later theories establish a basis which contributes to vast
cases of being taught in modern institutions while other principles have
not replace it (Buttel, 2020).
α Further, it incorporates the concept of formal organizational structures
among scholars which helps create a reliable basis in the organization.
 References
Al-Habil, W. (2021). Taylor’s Scientific Management. International Journal of
Public Administration, 34(14), 946-953.
Buttel, F. H. (2020). Classical Theory and Contemporary
Environmental. Environment and global modernity, 50, 17.
Katsamunska, P. (2017). Classical theory approaches to public
administration. Economic alternatives, 1, 74-81.
McLarney, C., & Rhyno, S. (2019). Mary Parker Follett: visionary leadership and
strategic management. Management Review, 14(7), 292-304.
Obijuru, J. O. H. N. N. Y. (2020). A critical analysis of contributions of Fredrick
Herzberg and Fredrick Taylor on Contemporary Public
Administration. Department of Business Administration and Management, 1-3.
Schilling, M. A. (2020). Decades ahead of her time: advancing theories through
the ideas of Mary Parker Follett. Journal of Management History, 6(5), 224-242.