The Classical View
The classical view briefly concentrates on the structure of the organization rather than the workers who work in a certain enterprise. Classical theory has numerous qualities, one of which is that it is merely an accounting model with solutions in the event that an error or a crime is committed while attempting to carry out corporate tasks. It also depicts humans as only a tool of production, and while discussing classical theory, the emphasis is on the output rather than the input. (Efthymiou and Mouhab 2016)
Approaches of Classical Theory
Classical theory is divided into three approaches: scientific management, administrative theory, and bureaucratic theory. (Meade 2013). The scientific management approach works to improve the job efficiency, standardization, and simplification through a good work plan. Also, this approach emphasizes that productivity is best boosted through combined efforts from both the management and their juniors or workers. The approach described scientific management as a scientific method of offering training services to workers, effective coordination of labor and management and resolve all kinds of conflicts, coming up with the best management and workforce. The administrative approach is concerned with the managerial principles. The approach described management as a set of planning, training and also organizing the trainees in the execution of their already prepared tasks. Administrative approach discusses some principles that are put in place in the work environment, some of them are the structure of the workers, the responsibility and the duties of each worker in a particular organization and the centralization of activities that are run in an organization. Principles of management (Fayol 1916). A bureaucratic approach is a third approach to the classical theory. It is different from the previous approaches because it deals with broader society. The fundamental principles of this organization are the structure, the stability of the organization and the ratio and the democracy put in the workplace. The approach is practically proven as an efficient and effective way of approaching activities in a workplace.
Application of Classical Theory in the Workplace
In the workplace, there are a few concepts where the classical theory best applies in trying to solve all conflicts and boost the productivity and maximization of profits. One major concept is the structure of the organization. In an organization, there are several layers and which individuals lie. There are the upper-class management, the supervisors, and the managers, under them, there are those that assist the managers to execute the duties, and the low-class workers usually the casual laborers. The laborers are work using mostly labor force while the rest work with ideas purely and give directives to the casuals. The assistant managerial department normally supervises the casuals, and then the assisting department is managed by the top leadership.
Specialization is also another crucial concept, which simply talks of the breakdown of labor among the various workers that are in the organization. Different companies have different departments, and so people are employed according to their line of specialization so that one picks a job that he or she is an expert in. Specialization increases the productivity and saves time that is used in the production process. Also, this theory emphasizes on employees motivation by rewarding them and especially when they have done exemplary good work. The motivation of employees increases productivity and maximizes work output and profits. (Fayol, 1916).
Improvements through Classical Theory
The classical theory has brought several improvements in the various industries that we have today. Through the implementation of this theory in the workplaces, there is a formation of a suitable structure and also improved functions and the operations of the firm. The division of labor and job specialization has increased the rate of production and also the quality of the products produced. Well, detailed information on the tasks given to every person helps one to understand his or her role properly, and this has boosted the work produced by different firms. Conflicts that are seen to be in various workplaces are resolved through this theory and the approaches. Different workplaces experience various problems as they strive to execute their duties and the goals of organizations. In almost every organization, they're several drawbacks because there is no single instance where all workers’ interests and preferences cannot be achieved. Some issues are commonly experienced in the workplaces in various departments, which eventually reduce the productivity of production for products and services.
Case Studies
The research on the application of classical theory to the workplace will describe a few job-related issues or problems and also provide case studies for a few problems and also show ways of how the classical theory can apply in solving some of the problems. The common issues in a work environment are having conflicts between various employees in a certain organization. Experiencing communication barriers, exploitation of workers and especially the low-class workers by the high-class supervisors and also bullying of workers through overworking them even beyond humanly limits. (Neo-Ritzer and Stepnisky 2017). Discrimination either by tribe, gender or age and also low performance and execution of duties and dissatisfaction of worker’s needs. Different workers have disparities in traits and personalities and the communication differ, and this leads to issues in the work areas. These differences lead to stress and also tensions in the workplace and especially where workers are not treated equally, the ill-treated end up feeling unwanted and suffer from inferiority complex. Bullying and also harassments make employees feel stressed and are unable to execute their duties properly because they are not at ease. Employees who are not content with their jobs also do not produce quality products and also provide low-quality services. (Work Commission 2016).
Case Study 1: Sara's Experience
A case study describes a young lady of 23 years called Sara who had been experiencing harassment and bullying in her workplace. Her workmate was bullying her, and this made her work environment very uncomfortable and-and this led to declining in her work productivity. Harassment affects both mentally and psychologically. (Lundahl and Wadensjo 2015). She went to the extent of consulting health care assistance. She tried to explain what she was experiencing and how discontent with her working environment. She later communicated with her boss and explained the bullying she had been suffering from her coworker. The manager summoned the coworker, they discussed the issue, and then solved the problem that Sara had been experiencing previously. After the problem was addressed and reached an amicable solution, she gained her confidence back, and even her work improved. The quality of the services she offered rose up and later accepted her working environment.
Case Study 2: Discrimination in a Communications Company
A different case but still on the same is in a communications company where several workers were discriminated against their skin tone because they were regarded as not pretty and beautiful. Beauty was a necessity for the execution of the duty since it was based on advertising various products and services. Only those that were regarded as beautiful secured a chance for the job and the rest were disqualified and were allocated some other tasks. Beauty discrimination greatly affected them and lowered self -esteem. They were branded by their fellow employees as inefficient just because of their skin tone, this discourages and demotivates them towards work efficiently, hence leading to declining in their work output. The issue was later addressed, and changes were made, and even those with dark skin tones were incorporated in those advertisements and other outdoor activities. The resolution led to increasing the productivity and also an improvement on the sales of products because the buyers also viewed the company diversified regarding equality among the employees, unlike previous negative remarks towards racial discrimination.
Addressing Workplace Issues with Classical Theory
Classical theory through its approaches that are briefly discussed above shows how these problems can be addressed and how best the workplaces can be improved. The issue of bullying among workers should be resolved following significant approaches. Weber talks about dealing with the structure and ensure a stable organization and having democracy and freedom of workers as they strive to execute their duties. (Udy and Stanley 1959). His description can be different from how the issue of Sara was addressed. Through bureaucratic approach, we can consider restructuring the organization, by transferring one worker to another department. Such departmental transfers will ensure that work continues to flow because there won’t be an issue with having disagreements as this would reduce the work output.
The administrative approach emphasizes managerial skills which include training and controlling of duties at a particular work field. (Meade 2013) Problems like that of Sara should be addressed in almost the same way as it was dealt with. The manager is entitled to control how the tasks are carried out and should ensure that in case of a crisis he or she knows how to manage the situation and bring back people together and also provide peace and reconciliation among disagreeing clients. Finally, this approach harbors the best solution to provide smooth workflow because its reliability is based on the skills of the managerial officials and their ability to control issues arising in the organization, hence improving the productivity of job.
Works cited
Disputes at work| FWC Main Site-Fair Work Commission (2016). Retrieved from https://www.fwc.gov.au
