Question

Consider the following statements regarding Contributions of Henry Fayol:

I. Fayol, the French engineer, is regarded as the father of classical theory; his "General and Industrial Management" was first published in France in 1916.

II. He did not distinguish between public and private administration, stating there is only one administrative science applicable to both.

III. Fayol's theory exclusively focused on public sector undertakings, ignoring industrial applications.

• A. Only I and II are correct
• B. Only II and III are correct
• C. Only I and III are correct
• D. All are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Only I and II are correct

Henri Fayol's Contributions to Management Theory

• Henri Fayol (1841-1925) was a prominent French mining engineer and director of mines. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in classical management theory.
• His seminal work, "General and Industrial Management" (originally published in French as "Administration Industrielle et Générale" in 1916), laid the foundation for modern management principles. It was translated into English in 1949, significantly impacting management thought globally.
• Fayol is credited with developing 14 Principles of Management, which are still relevant in contemporary management practices. These include principles like division of work, authority, discipline, unity of command, unity of direction, subordination of individual interest to general interest, remuneration, centralization, scalar chain, order, equity, stability of tenure of personnel, initiative, and esprit de corps.
• A key aspect of Fayol's philosophy was his belief in the universality of management. He argued that the principles of administration are applicable to all types of organizations, regardless of whether they are in the public or private sector. This was a significant departure from earlier theories that often focused on specific contexts.
• Statement III is incorrect because Fayol's work primarily focused on the management of industrial undertakings. His principles were intended to be applicable to a wide range of organizations, including businesses and industries, and not exclusively to public sector undertakings. He aimed to provide a framework for effective management in various organizational settings.

Key Distinctions:

• Fayol's work is often contrasted with that of Frederick Winslow Taylor, who is known as the father of scientific management. While Taylor focused on the micro-level efficiency of individual workers and tasks (shop-floor management), Fayol concentrated on the macro-level functions of management and the overall structure of organizations (top management perspective).
• Fayol identified five primary functions of management: planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling. These functions form the core of what managers do in any organization.