OEM 201 : EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP----THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA.

Management Theories & Concepts at the Workplace

A combination of management theories may help increase worker productivity and service quality.

Management theories are implemented to help increase organizational productivity and service quality. Not many managers use a singular theory or concept when implementing strategies in the workplace: They commonly use a combination of a number of theories, depending on the workplace, purpose and workforce. Contingency theory, chaos theory and systems theory are popular management theories. Theory X and Y, which addresses management strategies for workforce motivation, is also implemented to help increase worker productivity.

Contingency Theory

This theory asserts that managers make decisions based on the situation at hand rather than a "one size fits all" method. A manager takes appropriate action based on aspects most important to the current situation. Managers in a university may want to utilize a leadership approach that includes participation from workers, while a leader in the army may want to use an autocratic approach.

Systems Theory

Managers who understand systems theory recognize how different systems affect a worker and how a worker affects the systems around them. A system is made up of a variety of parts that work together to achieve a goal. Systems theory is a broad perspective that allows managers to examine patterns and events in the workplace. This helps managers to coordinate programs to work as a collective whole for the overall goal or mission of the organization rather than for isolated departments.

Chaos Theory

Change is constant. Although certain events and circumstances in an organization can be controlled, others can't. Chaos theory recognizes that change is inevitable and is rarely controlled. While organizations grow, complexity and the possibility for susceptible events increase. Organizations increase energy to maintain the new level of complexity, and as organizations spend more energy, more structure is needed for stability. The system continues to evolve and change.