Provide 2 case studies to demonstrate 2 of the key theories discussed in the lecture. How do they relate to the theories? Compare and contrast the 2 organisations highlighting good practice from each...

The systems approach...

Taking an everyday example in a supermarket the way in which to motivate employees is to have an organised structure and environment that is managed by the inputs that are turned into transformations of which produce a worthwhile output within a business environment. To achieve this, is to tackle job rotation to share the jobs in which employees do not wish to do for a complete shift and are given the chance to rotate around. This will allow the input put in by the employee to be transformed to produce a better performance in outputs given. This simple equation (inputs -transformation- outputs) can be used to create a successful organisation structure.

Contingency approach....(the it depends approach)

Contingency theories are a class of behavioral theory that evolves around there being not one best way of leading, and that a leadership style that is effective in some situations may not be successful in others (http://changingminds.org/).

Putting this into a context, take a manager as an example who is successful in controlling a business environment but makes bad decisions when it comes to that side of controlability in a business environment. Thus in addition is to do with the various situational factors, the manager in the business may be good in certain situations, but lacks the skills to be good in other situations.

Comparin both these organisations, it can be said that having a type of structure and being able to manage an environment by having a way to control employees works better than having none. By following the systems approach and aiming in changing the environment for an employee whether it is by work rotaion or some other form the input one puts in will be transformed as a result of the change and generally a better performance known as the output will be created.

By having no type of approach at all, the business is clearly not going to have any structure, the manager itself will lack the right skills to make the right decisions depending on the situation he/she is in. Moreover this can not always be relied upon as a factor knowing that the manager is only good in 'certain' situations and decision making and not all.

What are the pros and cons of scientific management? Think of five of each.

Pro's:

1. Workers work at their best knowing there are rewards for the effort given e.g. higher wages given from increased output.


2. Training made simple but effective.


3. Better workers are selected to produce a better outcome in work.


4. Removal of physical strain, ebolished as the right way to do the job is found.


5. The best scientific way to do the job is found by co operation with the workers.

Con's:

1. Workers are seen as isolated individuals, and are equal to how machines work.


2. The best way to do a job, is not always the best way for every individual person.


3. the outcome of what is being produced is not always up to the best quality standards.


4. Staff motivated by money and not concentrating on health aspects.


5. The imprtance of indivuduals feeling are not noted.

(Mullins, L, Management and organisational behaviour.)

Conclusion

There are many types of management theories present today within different organisations, whether it be contingency, system theories. The type of theory that managers proceed to use depend wholly on how they are accustomed to it and what works best for them. Different personalities and different styles of keeping an organisation running can also be to do with the type of organisation also.