The Roots and Future of Management Theory: A Systems Perspective [Hardcover]

William Roth (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1574442430 | ISBN-13: 978-1574442434 | Publication Date: August 31, 1999 | Edition: 1

Interesting and easy-to-read, The Roots and Future of Management Theory: A Systems Approach provides a comprehensive overview of today's workplace -past, present ,and future. The author brings the key characters in the evolution of management theory to life. Not only will your students understand the roots of our current situation, how workplace change happens, and what forces are involved - they will see how it fits into changes in society as a whole.

There have obviously been many changes in the workplace from the Medieval Period to the present, and there will certainly be even more changes in the future. This book explores these changes and connects them to changes in: general philosophy (rationalism, empiricism, pragmatism); religious philosophy (Catholicism, Protestantism); social philosophy (Machiavellian Humanism, Christian Humanism); economic philosophy (laissez faire, Communism); and workplace philosophy (technology as a friend, technology as an enemy).

Battles have raged through the ages between these opposing forces, affecting management systems, the quality of working life, and life in general. The author discusses how this has lead to today's quest for a synthesis of the strengths of these forces, and suggests that it has been found in the systems approach. He describes what this synthesis - combined with the powers of the computer - could and should lead to in the future.

Written at a level that both graduate and undergraduate student will understand, The Roots and Future of Management Theory provides an overview of management theory. Comprehensive but not overwhelming, this textbook will give your students an understanding the changes in the workplace since the beginning of the industrial age, and offer them some insights into the changes most likely to occur in the 21st century.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: CRC Press; 1 edition (August 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574442430
• ISBN-13: 978-1574442434
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,013,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The New Growth-Development Ethic, March 24, 2004

By 

maria gardell (woodbridge, connecticut United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Roots and Future of Management Theory: A Systems Perspective (Hardcover)

This is another wonderful book from the prolific writer, William Roth! The author takes us into a beautiful journey of the evolution of management theories beginning with the economic and social timeframes from the Pre-Industrial Revolution through the Post-Industrial Revolution. The theories discussed deal with the religious and philosophical factors that have influenced society and the economy, and how the internal and external forces have contributed to our socioeconomic policies.

The author begins by taking us back to the Medieval Period where one's work was a skill or an art passed on from father to son. Work was a source of pride, and allegiance to one's work coincided with allegiance to one's superior, usually the lord of an estate. Religion played a critical role during this period because the Church was highly involved in dictating the business of work to skilled artisans and craftsmen. Trade was conducted in Medieval society with the Church having a major part in the affairs of workers.

The Reformation Period which followed brought us into the minds of various philosophers who questioned man's position in the world and the rational quest for religious insight. Calvin's notion of "predetermination" engulfed society in a quest for working diligently on earth. Eventually this collective mindset overshadowed the strength which the Church once exhibited in people's lives. Ultimate truths were questioned during this period in the philosophies of skepticism and rationalism. The scientific method introduced us to theories from Copernicus and Galileo relating to the earth and its position in the universe. The Church is losing its hold as an influential factor in the lives of individuals during this fascinating period.

The Enlightenment period follows where Adam Smith and his treatise "The Wealth of Nations" takes a firm hold of society. Importantly, Smith espoused the "laissez faire economics" which catapulted the division of labor and brought forth the Industrial Revolution which changed everything in everyone's lives. This period gave rise to England's "manufactories" and the consequential injustices toward unskilled workers and child laborers. Working conditions were poor and laissez faire economics was not the solution to the injustices brought about by the mechanistic organizations of this critical historic Period.

The author discusses the Industrial Revolution and its socioeconomic ramifications. Industrialization brought about the need for better management and organization of the work force. Trade unions grew as a result of injustices in the workplace that were not corrected by companies. Individuals performed mindless, mechanical work during this period where labor was exploited ruthlessly by individuals who saw not the needs of the workers, but the numbers that generated income and profits. As a consequence of the social inequity, workers began to unite and play a proactive role in their destinies as human beings in the work force. The work of Robert Owen contributed to the improvement in the lives of working individuals.

Proceeding into analysis of the Industrial Revolution and its problems, the author discusses how the science of management evolved from the studies of noteworthy individuals such as Joseph Wharton, Frederick Taylor, and Max Weber, and how efforts to improve the management of organizations and humanize the work force took shape in the 1930's. The preoccupation with raising the quality of worker's lives brought to fruition works espousing the theories of effectiveness versus efficiency of workers. Singer's theory on the quest for the ideal is prevalent in all men, and in particular, in workers who would be more effective if given the means to do so. Thus, the mechanistic workforce of the Industrial Revolution reacted against its working environment. The author's brilliant analysis of the problems presiding throughout the history of the Industrialization period leads us to a clearer picture of the need for synthesizing that which is fraught with erroneous assumptions. Man's life is no different at work than at home. The need for man to pursue the ideals of truth and beauty, for instance, will remain the same throughout an individual's life. Self development is the critical component missing in the work life of individuals in organizations. The mechanistic work environment of the Industrial era led to the imprisonment of man's soul and kept him from realizing his true self worth. The challenge now, as the author discusses, is to synthesize "the mess" and make it more meaningful for individuals. Thus, the systems theory espouses the importance of the individual within the work environment.

The key to accomplishing the task of shaping management theory today is to synthesize historic theories of management with a healthy socioeconomic perspective or social philosophy. The eradication of the "growth ethic mentality" in the U.S. must give way to the introduction of the "growth-development ethic", the new social philosophy, where growth as a nation is tempered with the development of its individuals.

The author's writing flows smoothly from beginning to end, while the theories of management are articulated in such a way that is easy to understand and assimilate in our concepts of management. This book was a joy to read and will be one that is revisited time and again!