Important Dates & Incidents – Unit 1

1. The Classical Period (1776 – 1930)

1. 1776 – Adam Smith (Father of Economics)
• Published “The Wealth of Nations.”
• Introduced the concept of Division of Labour — specialization improves efficiency and productivity.
• Tip to remember: 1776 – the same year as American independence and birth of modern management ideas.
2. 1832 – Charles Babbage
• Wrote “On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures.”
• Emphasized cost efficiency, profit sharing, and division of labour.
• He suggested applying scientific principles to industrial operations.
• Think: Babbage = Machine + Brain = Early Scientific Thinking.
3. 1911 – F. W. Taylor (Father of Scientific Management)
• Published “The Principles of Scientific Management.”
• Focused on “One Best Way” to perform a job.
• Key principles include:
• Scientific study of each task.
• Proper selection and training of workers.
• Cooperation between management and labour.
• Memory tip: 1911 → “One best way” → Taylor’s Efficiency Year.
4. 1916 – Henri Fayol (Father of Modern Management Theory)
• Published “General and Industrial Management.”
• Introduced 14 Principles of Management and 5 Functions of Management — Planning, Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating, and Controlling.
• He explained that management is a universal process applicable to all organizations.
• Tip: Fayol = Function + Principle.
5. 1920s – Max Weber (Bureaucratic Management)
• Introduced the concept of Bureaucracy emphasizing hierarchy, rules, and discipline.
• Stressed authority structure and clear division of work.
• Note: Weber = Work through Rules.

 

2. The Neo-Classical Period (1930 – 1960)

6. 1924–1932 – Elton Mayo (Father of Human Relations Movement)
• Conducted the Hawthorne Experiments at Western Electric Company, Chicago.
• Found that worker productivity improves with recognition, communication, and group support.
• This shifted focus from mechanical aspects to human behaviour at work.
• Tip: Hawthorne = Human Touch.
7. 1938 – Chester Barnard
• Published “The Functions of the Executive.”
• Emphasized communication, coordination, and cooperation in organizations.
• Introduced the concept of informal organization.
• Remember: Barnard = Bridge of Communication.
8. 1943 – Abraham Maslow (Motivation Theory)
• Gave the Hierarchy of Needs Theory.
• Stated that human needs progress from physiological → safety → social → esteem → self-actualization.
• Example: A hungry employee cannot think about promotion before food needs are met.
• Easy hint: Maslow’s Pyramid = Motivation Ladder.
9. 1954 – Peter F. Drucker
• Introduced Management by Objectives (MBO) in “The Practice of Management.”
• Emphasized setting clear goals agreed upon by both managers and employees.
• Tip: 1954 → “Manager & Employee together = MBO.”
10. 1960 – Douglas McGregor
• Proposed Theory X and Theory Y.
• Theory X – Employees are lazy and need control.
• Theory Y – Employees are responsible and enjoy work if motivated properly.
• Memory link: X = eXtreme control; Y = You can trust.

 

3. The Modern Period (1960 onwards)

11. 1961 – Burns and Stalker
• Introduced Mechanistic and Organic Structures.
• Mechanistic – rigid and hierarchical.
• Organic – flexible and adaptive.
• Tip: Machine vs. Organism.
12. 1964 – Blake and Mouton
• Developed the Managerial Grid.
• Leadership styles based on concern for people and concern for production.
• Best style – Team Management (9,9) = high concern for both.
13. 1969 – Fiedler’s Contingency Theory
• Claimed that no one best style of management exists; effectiveness depends on the situation.
• Key idea: Adjust style according to context.
14. 1973 – Henry Mintzberg
• Identified 10 Managerial Roles under three categories:
• Interpersonal
• Informational
• Decisional
• Easy recall: A manager wears 10 hats!
15. 1980s–1990s
• Rise of Strategic Management, Total Quality Management (TQM), and Business Process Reengineering (BPR).
• Focus shifted to continuous improvement, competition, and customer satisfaction.
• Note: Quality became everyone’s responsibility.
16. 2000s onwards
• Emphasis on Knowledge Management, Technology, and Innovation.
• Managers focus on data-driven decisions and information systems.
• Tip: 2000s – Knowledge = Power.
17. 2010 onwards
• Importance of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), leadership development, and work-life balance.
• Reminder: Modern managers lead with heart and logic.
18. 2020 onwards
• The COVID-19 pandemic changed organizational practices.
• Remote work, digital leadership, and hybrid management systems emerged.
• Tip: 2020 – The year management went online!

 

4. Quick Revision Notes

• Three Fathers to Remember:
• Taylor – Scientific Management
• Fayol – Administrative Management
• Mayo – Human Relations Movement
• Three Phases Summary:

1.      Classical Era – Focus on task and structure.

2.      Neo-Classical Era – Focus on people and motivation.

3.      Modern Era – Focus on systems, strategy, and technology.

 

Mnemonic for Thinkers:

“Smart Boys Teach Fine Management Making Directors Confident.”

(Smith, Babbage, Taylor, Fayol, Mayo, Maslow, Drucker, McGregor, Contingency)