HENRI FAYOL

ADMINISTRATIVE THEORY BY HENRI FAYOL.


IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUE: Division of work issues 
APPLIED THEORY: Henry Fayol's theory 
PRACTICAL THEORY: Specific task to be allocated to employees
LINKED THEORIES: Henry Fayol and FW Taylor 
SOLUTION: Understand the individual work issues and plan essential task

Good management is essential for organizations to achieve their goals and be efficient. The POLC framework, consisting of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, is crucial for organizational structure and focus. Henri Fayol, a French mining engineer, is known as the 'Father of Modern Management Theory'. His 1916 book, "Administration Industrielle et Gรฉnรฉrale," introduced management theories applicable to all levels and departments. Foyal's principles of management, developed at the end of the Industrial Revolution, significantly influenced the present management theory (Simplillern, 2024)

Management is a process where members of an organization work together to achieve goals. Two prominent management thinkers are Fredrick Winslow Taylor and Henry Fayol. Fayol introduced a general theory of administration, focusing on managerial efficiency, and introduced fourteen principles. Taylor, known as the "father of scientific management," applied a scientific method to management, focusing on supervisory management and operational performance. Both Fayol and Taylor contributed to the development of management theories, with Fayol focusing on efficiency and Taylor on practical application(Rosenbloom 1983).

How to apply Fayol's principles of management in an organization?

  • Start by identifying the principles that are most relevant to your organization
  • Develop a plan for implementing the principles
  • Communicate the principles to employees and managers
  • Monitor the implementation of the principles and make adjustments as needed

Henry Fayol's 14 Principles of Management

  • Division of Work 
  • Authority
  • Discipline 
  • Unity of command 
  • Unity of direction 
  • Collective interest over individual interest
  • Remuneration 
  • Centralization 
  • Scalar chain 'order 
  • Equity
  • Stability of tenure 
  • Initiative
  • E-spirit de corpse

According to him, the 5 main functions of management are Planning, Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating and Controlling. The first rule of management is proper segregation or division of work among employees with respective strengths to fulfill those responsibilities. (Fayol,2012)  




Henri Fayol, a French mining engineer, is known as the 'Father of Modern Management Theory'. He worked at Commentry-Fourchambault and Decazeville, where he focused on organizing and handling people rather than technical skills. Influential in the early 20th century, he wrote "Administration Industrielle et Gรฉnรฉrale" on management theories and work organization. Foyal's 14 principles of management, developed at the end of the industrial revolution, continue to influence modern management theory(Trow and Halpin 1959).

Henri Fayol's Five Functions of Management is a significant development in Management Theory, focusing on five primary functions: planning, organizing, command, coordination, and control. Planning involves creating a plan of action, considering resources, trends, and future events. Organizing involves providing necessary resources and activities. Command involves maximizing return from employees in the interest of the whole concern, including having competent personnel, understanding obligations, working with other managers, setting a good example, performing regular audits, and staying out of the minutiae. 
Coordination ensures all personnel understand their responsibilities and resources, and control consists of verifying conformity with the plan adopted, instructions issued, and established principles. Fayol's work on these functions has significantly influenced the field of Management Theory and remains a major management framework worldwide.(Rosenbloom 1983b) 

REFELECTION 

Fayol's management method emphasizes compensating employees for work beyond expectations, using bonuses, overtime wages, and vacation time. This approach can help avoid tension and resentment. Nonmonetary compensation, such as awards, retreats, or prizes, can also be encouraged. A clear hierarchy of power is essential, with supervisors ensuring employees follow rules. Leadership should understand their roles and responsibilities, and team members should know who to contact for issues. Making leadership's organization accessible for employees can save time and minimize major issues. Henri Fayol's management theory consists of 14 principles, focusing on five key interactions with personnel for production control and planning. These include planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling. Management must plan, schedule, coordinate resources, encourage and direct personnel activity, and ensure that personnel follow commands to ensure efficient production. Effective management is crucial for organizations to achieve goals and be efficient. The POLC framework, consisting of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, is essential for organizational structure and focus. Henry Fayol, a French mining engineer, introduced management theories applicable to all levels and departments, focusing on managerial efficiency and fourteen principles. Fayol's 14 principles include division of work, authority, discipline, unity of command, direction, collective interest over individual interest, remuneration, centralization, scalar chain order, equity, stability of tenure, initiative, and E-spirit de corpse.


REFERENCE 

Simplillern. (2024, Feb 1). www.simplilearn.com/principles-of-management-by-henri-fayol-article. Retrieved from principles-of-management-by-henri-fayol: https://www.simplilearn.com/principles-of-management-by-henri-fayol-article  

Rosenbloom, D.H. (1983) “Public Administrative Theory and the Separation of Powers”. PAR. Public Administration Review [online] 43 (3), 219. available from <https://doi.org/10.2307/976330>

Comments

  1. Henri Fayol's Administrative Theory, while influential and widely taught in management studies, is not without its drawbacks. But I would like to point of the criticisms against the , Universal Applicability. Fayol's principles are often criticized for being too general and lacking specificity. They are considered applicable across various industries and organizational contexts, which some argue oversimplifies the complexities of modern organizations.

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    1. yes and Fayol's administrative management theory emphasizes organizational structure and human behavior, based on planning, organizing, command, coordination, and control functions for increased productivity.

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  2. Fayol's ideas provide useful insights into organizational structure, workflow optimization, and decision-making efficiency, all of which contribute to modern corporate success and adaptability.

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    1. I would like to add more such as Henry Fayol's principle of management suggests that assigning specific tasks to employees can enhance their efficiency and skill, contrasting with a multi-tasking culture. This approach, based on an employee's current skill set, can lead to increased productivity and proficiency in their field. For instance, specializing in specific departments can increase efficiency and productivity.

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  3. Excellent summary of Henri Fayol's Administrative Theory and its foundational role in modern management practices. The breakdown of the POLC framework and Fayol’s 14 Principles offers valuable insights for applying timeless management strategies within contemporary organizational contexts. A great tribute to the 'Father of Modern Management Theory'!

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    1. Thankyou and adding more points Henri Fayol's principle of management emphasizes the importance of balancing authority and responsibility in a manager's role. Without authority, employees may struggle to follow instructions, while managers may feel frustrated. For instance, if an employee manages a decor department but lacks authority to make decisions or contact vendors, efficiency and productivity may suffer.

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  4. A thorough and concise article on Henry Fayol's 14 Principles of Management. It provides a timeless framework for effective organizational management. These principles, developed over a century ago, continue to be relevant and applicable in modern business contexts. Good article.

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    1. Discipline is crucial for an organization's success, requiring managers to foster a culture of mutual respect and establish clear rules, philosophies, and structures. Good supervision and impartial judgment are essential for maintaining a disciplined attitude and achieving smooth working results.

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  5. This blog explores Henri Fayol's administrative theory, emphasizing the importance of good management and the application of Fayol's principles in organizations. It provides insights into Fayol's framework of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, along with his 14 principles of management, offering valuable guidance for effective organizational management.

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    1. yes Ruwan and The principle of clear chain of command in an organization ensures employees follow instructions from only one manager, preventing authority, discipline, and stability issues. Working under multiple managers can lead to a breakdown in management structure and employee burnout. For instance, a task with multiple managers can cause confusion and pressure.

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  6. Henry Fayol's principles of management provides an effective methodology of how to manage an organization even in the modern world. Informative blog.

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    1. Yes and also Henri argued that division of work enhances product quality, productivity, efficiency, accuracy, and speed, applicable to managerial and technical work levels.

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  7. An informative blog on Henri Fayol's Administrative Theory. The 14 Principles of management plays a vital role in the organizational management. These principles which helped in managing businesses many years ago can be still used in the digitally transformative era. Fulfilling the 5 key responsibilities: Planning, Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating and Controlling is the first rule of management according to Fayol.

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    1. Thank you and you can also understand that Authority and responsibility are crucial aspects of management, enabling efficient work and ensuring accountability for the work under the leadership's guidance.

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  8. interesting article amesha. these 14 principles introduced by Henri Fayol, serve as a framework for guiding managerial decision making and organizational behavior. this valid for the current context as well.

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    1. Now you can understand the Henry Fayol's principle of management suggests that work should be organized in harmony, with employees working towards the same objective using one plan, under the direction of one manager. This approach can be applied to marketing activities, ensuring efficiency and avoiding confusion within a department.

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  9. Good blog article providing Henri Fayol's administrative theory. Out of 14 principles organization can select most suitable for the organization and develop a plan for implementing and communicate to the employees of the organization and then monitor the implemented principles and see if their any need of adjustment.

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    1. The principle emphasizes prioritizing the team's interest over personal ones, preventing individual interests from sabotaging the organization's. For instance, employees should make travel and stay decisions based on comfort and affordability.

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  10. Thank you for providing a clear and concise overview of Henri Fayol's principles of management and their application in organizations.

    Your article effectively outlines the fundamental concepts and offers practical steps for implementation.

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    1. Thank you! and i hope you take this into note that Henry Fayol's principle of management emphasizes fair wages for employees, including both financial and non-financial incentives. Organizations should reward good performance and ensure all employees receive a salary that reflects their efforts, regardless of gender or tenure.

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  11. Good bosses make companies successful! Henri Fayol, a pioneer of management, created a plan (POLC) to help bosses organize their teams. He also had 14 rules, like dividing work fairly and having clear leadership. These ideas are still important today, even though they're old!

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    1. Also remember that Centralization refers to the concentration of power in the hands of the authority and following a top-bottom approach to management. In decentralization, this authority is distributed to all levels of management. In a modern context, no organization can be completely centralized or decentralized. Complete centralization means that people at the bottom have no authority over their responsibilities. Similarly, complete decentralization means that there will be no superior authority to control the organization. To use this effectively today, there should be a balance of centralization and decentralization. The degree to which this balance is achieved will differ from organization to organization.
      Example: Centralization is mostly common in small and medium-sized firms where the delegation of work is minimal, and the owners make most of the decisions.

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  12. Hi Amesha! Great content. I need to say, Henry Fayol's core principles like planning, organizing, and leading remain essential for effective management. His emphasis on general management skills is also crucial for leaders at all levels. While some aspects of Fayol's theory might need adaptation in today's dynamic business environment. For example; His theory emphasized rigid structures and a top-down approach. Modern organizations need to be more flexible and adaptable to respond to changing market conditions and customer needs. Don't you agree?

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    1. Yes Hasini! A company should strive for unity of direction, subordination of individual interest, and remuneration. A unified goal makes work easier and achieves the set goal. The entire chain of command should work towards the organization's purposes. Remuneration should be monetary or non-monetary, reflecting individual efforts.

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  13. Thank you jero and I would like to add that Discipline is crucial for project success and management, promoting good performance and career progression. Unity of command ensures employees follow one boss, preventing conflicts of interest and confusion, and promoting smooth professional growth.

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  14. Henry Fayol’s 14 principles of management look at an organization from a top-down approach to help managers get the best from employees and run the business with ease. Thanks for this informative article.

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