Introduction

This unit will deal with the following issues:

Management approaches have evolved through several stages.

It is important that we understand the role each of the perspectives that will be discussed in order for us to appreciate the major influences to the current management practice.

Knowing these perspectives will also help guide our actions and provide us with ideas for new situations.

Organizations and managers have existed for thousands of years.

The Egyptian pyramids and the Great Wall of China were projects of tremendous scope and magnitude, and required good management.

Regardless of the titles given to managers throughout history, someone has always had to plan what needs to be accomplished, organize people and materials, lead and direct workers, and impose controls to ensure that goals were attained as planned.

The formal study of management began with the scientific management followed by five other approaches that had evolved but are still giving major influences to practices carried out today.