From Theory to Practice: Real-World Applications of Management Concepts

Managing a team is an integral part of the organisation; this is only some people’s tea. Management is a single word, but it comprises many responsibilities. This role is designated to someone who can manage and handle uncertainties in the organisation or the company. This blog will encapsulate various management theories, and then we will explore how these theories can be applied to the real world and how they benefit organisations. So, before we delve into various management theories, we should first learn about management concepts and theories and why they play an important role in the organisation. Management theories and concepts were introduced for no reason, and now they are being utilised by organisations of all sizes to foster their overall performance. These theories have been updated continuously with the rapid change in the business landscape. Modern management theories differ quite from traditional management theories; thus, managers should have proper knowledge before implementing them into their organisations.

What are management theories?

Management concepts evoke managing people, allocating tasks, scheduling projects, monitoring tasks, decision-making, and other essential duties. All these tasks play a vital role in the organisation. In addition to that, a manager also needs to encourage their employees whenever they need a manager’s help; overall, it is the manager’s core responsibility to improve the operational process within an organisation. The need for management theories was realised when businesses started to grow, and managers found handling many human resources difficult. This urged the introduction of managing theories that the industries can incorporate to improve their practice. The management theories play a vital role in improving the overall performance and productivity of the organisations.

Types of Management Theories

Modern management theories have become an integral part of the business, and the theories have been classified into three major categories: Classical Management Theory, Behavioural Management Theory and Modern Management Theory. The “Classical management theory” emphasises implementing the theories and thus maximising the overall productivity of the company or the industry. Further, the “Behavioural Management Theory” emphasises improving human behaviour within the organisation and, thus, the overall environment of the organisation. Finally, “Modern Management Theory” combines the concepts of modern scientific methods and the systematic thinking approach.

Now, we will discuss classifications in detail

• Classical Management Theory

This theory is an advancement of the oldest management theory, emphasising improving organisational operations and thus increasing overall productivity. In addition, when incorporating this theory, managers encourage and motivate employees through bonuses and incentives. In other words, compensation is considered the motivational element, and they also arrange for recognition programs for high-performing employees.

The classical management theory is categorised into three parts:

1. Scientific Management Theory: This theory is the oldest version of management theories and was developed by Frederick Taylor; he stated that industries, to improve the organisation’s overall performance, should emphasise minimising waste and reduce total labour hours or production time.
2. Administrative Management Theory: This theory was developed by the founder of the management theory and thus considers all those tasks that the business demands while managing business activities, and this gives detailed guidelines for the managers so that they can follow them to achieve organisational success.
3. Bureaucracy Theory: This theory was developed by Max Weber, and this emphasis on unity within an organisation and organisational hierarchical authorities plays a central role.

• Behavioural Management Theory

The rapid increase in the complexity of organisational operations has raised the demand for human resources. Thus, the organisations’ primary elements were the employees’ appropriate human behaviour and interpersonal needs. Thus, to practice this theory effectively, managers should encourage a collaborative environment where everyone should have equal access to opportunities.

Further, this theory has been categorised into two parts

1. Human Relation Theory: This theory identifies that salary is not enough to satisfy employees. So, to improve employees’ relationship with the organisation, managers should emphasise recognition and reward programs so that the high-performing employees feel inspired and motivated.
2. Behavioural Science: This theory encapsulates the concepts of psychology, sociology and anthropology to form the base of this theory. This also identified various elements influencing employees to work beyond their responsibilities and how they feel encouraged and motivated. This theory helps to identify the needs of the managers.

• Modern Management Theory

As in the modern era, technology is continuously changing and updating according to industrial needs. Thus, to improve organisational operations, businesses should focus on adopting trending technology to improve productivity and thus reduce labour time.

This theory can be divided into three major

1. Quantitative Theory: Experts developed this theory, and the primary objective of the theory was to improve the decision-making process of the military.
2. Systems Theory: This theory demands supporting targets of the business and thus serves the organisation with better organisational health and support.
3. Contingency Theory: Jaon Woodward introduced this theory, and she revealed that big companies improve their productivity at an increasing rate because they are committed to advanced technologies, and thus, the managers of the companies make informed decisions as per the various situations. This theory also demands effective management based on various situational uncertainties within an organisation.

How manages can one select a management theory?

The above-mentioned managerial theories play a vital role in the organisation, and all these theories are only a perfect fit for some organisations; this depends on the organisational requirements. Effective management plays a pivotal role and is considered the backbone of organisations. So managers, before incorporating any of the management theories, should ensure they have proper knowledge of the theories.

Read Also: The Best Management Books Of All Time

Tips for using management theories in the workplace

In this section, I will discuss some of the strategies that managers may adopt to practice effective management in the workplace

• Investing in employees: Organisations are rapidly changing and are adopting advanced technologies. So, the managers of the companies must arrange for training sessions where the employees will get the opportunity to upskill themselves, and they will be able to update themselves following the current trends. This not only helps to upskill the employee but also allows companies to broaden their market and thus gain experience with the trending technologies. Also, this helps to boost employee productivity and saves their time, and they can concentrate on other complex projects, which allows them to complete multiple tasks in a single day. Also, when employees feel that the managers are paying attention to their progress areas, the employees automatically get emotional, and this boosts up their energy, and they feel about working beyond their responsibility, and thus, this leads to the success of the organisation.
• Empower Employees: Organisational success depends on effective management; decision-making is vital to organisational success. So always give power to your employees so that they become capable of making decisions. When a team works collaboratively, they produce the best possible output. When employees get the power to make a decision, they become more responsible. They study a particular topic minutely.

Flatten the organisational hierarchy

The flattening of the organisational hierarchy will lead to improved innovation and creativity. This could also foster a collaborative work environment, and everyone would feel free and thus will be able to share their perspectives freely.

Conclusion

Effective management is an integral part of the organisation, and in the fast-paced economy, this has become a powerful tool for effective management. They follow some management theories based on organisational goals to practice effective management in the organisation. Management theories refer to all the processes of an organisation. That involves allocating tasks, prioritising tasks, monitoring tasks and so on. Management theories have been categorised into three parts: Classical Management Theory, Behavioural Management Theory, and Modern Management Theory. The “Classical management theory” emphasises implementing the theories and thus maximising the overall productivity of the company or the industry. “Behavioural Management Theory” emphasises improving human behaviour and, thus, the overall environment of the organisation. And “Modern Management Theory” combines the concepts of classical theory and behavioural theory. But these theories are a perfect fit for all sizes of organisations, so managers, before adopting these theories, must ensure that they have proper knowledge of this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is management theory?

Management theories refer to guidelines or rules that managers follow to manage and handle organisational performance.

Q2. Why are they important?

This theory plays a vital role, and the urge for this theory was raised when the managers faced challenges in handling mass employees within the organisation.

Q3. What are the various types of management theories?

Modern management theories have been categorised into three categories: classical management theory, Behavioural Management Theory and Modern Management Theory.

Q4. What is the difference between traditional management and modern management theory?

Traditional management theories are limited to specific business activities, but modern management theories are more dynamic and can be applied to various situations. Traditional concepts and theories are one chain command fixed with planned decisions. However, modern theories are flexible and vary depending on the situation.

Q5. How can managers select a management theory?

There are numerous ways that managers can adopt to select the management theory for their organisation; those involve:

• Investing in employee
• Flattening organisational hierarchy
• Empowering employees

Author Bio: Mark Edmonds, a devoted proficient at Academic Assignments, overcomes any issues among hypothesis and practice with his keen substance. As a carefully prepared master, he exhibits an abundance of information in management concepts, rejuvenating them through certifiable applications. Intensely for schooling, Mark’s skill reaches out to conveying top-level MBA dissertation help and assignment writing services, enabling students to academically succeed. His obligation to greatness radiates through in his work, making him an esteemed supporter of the field of training.