The purpose of this paper is to summarize, assess, and synthesize eleven chapters across two primary texts listed as the required reading for the second week of POS 543. First, I’ll identify some of the central themes discussed across the readings. Second, I will assess the strengths and weaknesses of the various contributions to the literature on organizational theory relative to the major schools of thought.
The required reading for week two offered a glimpse of the classic theories relative to the study of organization. Early theorists conceived and in some cases, implemented their organizational strategies with the goal of increasing efficiencies and understanding of organizational dynamics and behavior. Through intentional design …show more content…
Unity of Command, Span of Control, and specialization were critical components of Fayol’s transformation of administrative activities. Span of control in particular focused on the correct or optimal number of individuals any one manager should supervise. Unity of command focused on the chain of authority and communication so that one worker reported up through one supervisor (Scott and Davis, 2007; Fayol, 2016). Gulick was an advocate of coordination and specialization through effective work division. He identified three limitations to the concept which focused on the amount of work one man can accomplish with a specific set of skills; the consideration of technology and customs on how work could or should not be divided; and recognizing when subdivision of work does not create a gain (Gulick, 2016). Gulick also determined that there were two primary avenues for achieving coordination within an organization, by the structure of the organization itself or through an idea that dominated the effort of the
The required reading for week two offered a glimpse of the classic theories relative to the study of organization. Early theorists conceived and in some cases, implemented their organizational strategies with the goal of increasing efficiencies and understanding of organizational dynamics and behavior. Through intentional design …show more content…
Unity of Command, Span of Control, and specialization were critical components of Fayol’s transformation of administrative activities. Span of control in particular focused on the correct or optimal number of individuals any one manager should supervise. Unity of command focused on the chain of authority and communication so that one worker reported up through one supervisor (Scott and Davis, 2007; Fayol, 2016). Gulick was an advocate of coordination and specialization through effective work division. He identified three limitations to the concept which focused on the amount of work one man can accomplish with a specific set of skills; the consideration of technology and customs on how work could or should not be divided; and recognizing when subdivision of work does not create a gain (Gulick, 2016). Gulick also determined that there were two primary avenues for achieving coordination within an organization, by the structure of the organization itself or through an idea that dominated the effort of the