📖 Introduction:

The evolution of management thought has been shaped by several significant historical movements, each contributing uniquely to how organizations are structured, operated, and managed today.

Understanding these major developments is essential for comprehending the foundations of modern management theories and practices, a crucial area for students preparing for the UGC NET Management examination.

📖 Important Historical Movements

A. Industrial Revolution

• Timeline: Late 18th century (around 1760–1840).

• Description:
  • The Industrial Revolution marked the transition from manual labour to machine-based manufacturing.

  • It led to the creation of factories and large-scale production systems, requiring the development of basic management practices like supervision, scheduling, and coordination.

B. Scientific Management

• Timeline: Early 20th century (around 1910).

• Description:

  • Introduced by Frederick Winslow Taylor, Scientific Management focused on applying scientific methods to analyse and improve work processes.

  • The goal was to enhance worker productivity and operational efficiency through time-and-motion studies and standardized procedures.

C. Human Relations Movement

• Timeline: 1930s–1940s.

• Description:

  • Developed after the Hawthorne Studies by Elton Mayo and his team, the Human Relations movement emphasized the psychological and social aspects of work.

  • It recognized that employee satisfaction, motivation, and group dynamics significantly impact productivity.

D. Operations Research (Quantitative Approach)

• Timeline: 1940s (during World War II).

• Description:

  • Operations Research emerged to solve complex military logistics problems using mathematical models and statistical analysis.

  • After the war, OR techniques were widely applied in business operations, resource allocation, and strategic planning.

E. Quality Revolution

• Timeline: 1970s–1990s.

• Description:

• The Quality Revolution emphasized continuous quality improvement in processes, products, and services.

• Methods like Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma, and Kaizen became prominent.

• Thought leaders like Deming, Juran, and Ishikawa played a key role in spreading the quality philosophy worldwide.