Approaches to Management

Human behavior approach
This is one of the approaches to management which draws heavily from sociology and psychology. It helps in understanding the human behavior. It emphasizes on greater productivity through motivation and good human relations. The core of this approach includes; motivation, group dynamics, leadership and participative management (Jackson, 2000). One of its major uses is to demonstrate how management can be effective by applying knowledge of organization behavior. It has several limitations which include the following; it treats management as if it is equivalent to human behavior and also talks about organization and behaviors of organizations in vague terms (Jackson, 2000).
Empirical approach
This is a major approach to management as it is the study of cases and experiences in management
. Its focus is on how experiences are passed from participationer to students for continuity in knowledge management. It is also a study in failures and successful cases of management which helps the practicing or less experienced managers. It is an important approach as it helps managers to learn through the mistakes of others. Empirical approaches also have got several limitations which includes; the contribution for the development of management is not considered as a discipline in empirical approach. Past situations in empirical approach should not be the same as those of present (Jackson, 2000).
Social system approach
This sets its focus on understanding the behavior of groups and individuals. It is a system of cultural relations. Its features include the following; there exist a good relation between internal and external environment in a given organization. There exists a formal organization. This means that there is a cultural relationship of social groups working within the organization. Cooperation between those groups is an important factor. It has real significance to the practicing manager in the sense that managers operate in social system and the organization is likely to succeed if the demands of the society in which it operates are fully recognized (Levin & Kirkpatrick, 1971).
There is harmony between the goals of the groups and those of the organization. Social system approach is important as the decisions of the organization are not based on the desires of one group but reflects the desires of all the parties in the organization. Social system approach also has got several limitations which includes; it is broader than management and its practice. This means that it tends to overlook many management concepts, principals and techniques that are important to management (Jackson, 2000).
Socio-technical systems approach
This approach views an organization as a combination of technical and social system. The real pattern of behavior in any organization is viewed by the interaction of the two. Social systems of the organization are governed by social laws as well as by psychological forces. Technical systems consist of technological forces operating in the organization like physical setting of work, rules, procedures etc (Levin & Kirkpatrick, 1971).
Due to interaction of social and technical systems, technical aspects of the work are modified by social aspects. Thus organization of an organization situation within the framework of socio-technical system involves scrutinizing of the specific technology used, the way in which are organized, the formal structuring of interpersonal interactions and the informal patterns emerging in the work group. This approach is important as organizational effectiveness depends on looking at people and their interactions and also at the technical environment in which they operate (Levin & Kirkpatrick, 1971). There is change in technology and change in social interactions at work place.
Operational approach
In operational approach, management is a process. It concentrates on the role and functions of managers and gives out the principles to be followed by them. The conceptual framework of management can be constructed on the basis of the analysis of management process and identification of management principles. The central core of managing revolves around planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling. This central core of management is unique and is not found in other activities (Janjan, 2001).
Operational approach also has got several limitations which includes; Operational Approach emphasizes static conditions whereas the organizations have to function in dynamic conditions. The basic tenets of operational management that is various managerial functions are not universally accepted. Management functions differ from author to author. Various terms used in this approach are not commonly shared. Example, People substitute leading for directing, it claims universality or management principles while management differs from organization to organization and from level to level (Janjan, 2001).
Systems approach
The system approach is a combination of parts, subsystems with each part having various sub-parts. It is a man-made system which focuses on achieving the established goals. It achieves its interplay with its environment. Managers in the systems approach, integrates their available facilities with goal achievements. This system approach has got quick perception and better planning. It has got several disadvantages as it is complicated and expensive (Jackson, 2000).
Mathematical approach
Management is regarded as the problem solving mechanism with the help of mathematical tools and techniques. Management problems can be described in terms of mathematical symbols and data. Thus every managerial activity can be quantified. This approach covers decision-making, system analysis and some aspects of human behavior such as operational approach, mathematical tools, simulation, models etc. are the basic methodologies to solve managerial problems (Janjan, 2001). This approach is a fast developing area in analyzing and understanding management. It has got several limitations which includes; it uses techniques in decision making, and it is very difficult to call a separate school of management because it does not provide the answer for total managerial problems (Janjan, 2001).
Decision theory approach
Decisions are a key factor in any organization. Management is just another name foe decision making. All factors affecting decision-making are the subject matter of study of management. Besides processes and techniques in decision making factors affecting decisions are information systems social and psychological aspects of decision-makers. This approach is very important as it demonstrates how managers can discharge their functions effectively and for this approach it provides various tools (Levin & Kirkpatrick, 1971).
Decision theorists have grappled with decisions pertaining to diagnosis and the resulting prescriptions for improving communication, incentives, reactions of the individuals to group and analysis of human values write stated objectives. It also has got several limitations which include the following; this approach does not take the total view of management. Decision-making is vital in every school of management. This vital aspect cannot be denied but management is more than mere decision-making (Levin & Kirkpatrick, 1971).



References
Jackson, M. C. (2000). Systems approaches to management. Springer Science & Business Media.
Janjan, N. (2001, August). Bone metastases: approaches to management. In Seminars in oncology (Vol. 28, pp. 28-34). WB Saunders.
Levin, R. I., & Kirkpatrick, C. A. (1971). Quantitative approaches to management.