Question

Which of the following statements best summarizes Urwick's view on the principles of administration?

• A. . Principles should be strictly rigid, as they are based on mathematical proofs.
• B. Principles are indispensable for administrative light, serving as a lighthouse fixing the bearings for navigation.
• C. The primary limitation of principles is that they do not account for human motivation.
• D. Urwick believed that the total number of principles must never exceed the fourteen specified by Fayol.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Principles are indispensable for administrative light, serving as a lighthouse fixing the bearings for navigation.

Urwick's Perspective on Administrative Principles

Luther Gulick and Lyndall Urwick were prominent figures in the scientific management movement and administrative theory. Urwick, in particular, emphasized the critical role of principles in effective administration.

Key Aspects of Urwick's View:

• Guiding Lights: Urwick viewed administrative principles as essential guides, akin to a lighthouse. They provide direction and clarity in the complex task of managing an organization.
• Navigational Tools: Just as a lighthouse helps ships navigate safely by fixing their bearings, administrative principles help managers make decisions and steer the organization towards its goals, avoiding pitfalls.
• Indispensable Nature: He considered these principles not merely helpful suggestions but indispensable tools for sound administration. Without them, management would be haphazard and inefficient.
• Foundation for Order: Principles establish a framework for organizing activities, defining authority, and ensuring coordination, which are vital for the smooth functioning of any administrative system.
• Evolution of Principles: Urwick, along with Gulick, contributed to codifying and popularizing a set of principles, such as the span of control and specialization, based on scientific observation and analysis.

Relevance to Competitive Exams:

• Understanding Urwick's metaphor of the lighthouse is crucial for comprehending his functionalist approach to management.
• Examine questions often test the candidate's ability to identify the core function and importance of administrative principles as articulated by influential theorists like Urwick.