Behavioral Approach To Management

Topic: Behavioral approach to management (Evolution of Management Approach)
Behavioral approach to management focuses on the fact that human behavior is learned, thus all behavior can be
unlearned and new behaviors learned in its place. Behaviorism is concerned primarily with the observable and
measurable aspects of human behavior. Therefore when behaviors become unacceptable, they can be unlearned.
The Behavioral approach to management evolved mainly because the practicing managers discovered that
adopting the ideas of the classical approach failed to achieve total efficiency and workplace harmony. The
behavioral approach to management highlighted what the classical advocates overlooked – the human aspect. The
classical theorists looked at the organization from a production perspective; the behavioral advocates viewed it
from the individual’s viewpoint. The behavioral approach to management highlighted individual behavior & group
processes, and acknowledged the importance of behavioral processes at work. The Hawthorne studies at Western
Electric Company in Illinois, USA, (led by Elton Mayo and other experts and associates from 1924 to 1933) helped
to lend credence to the behavioral approach.
Some of the main behavioral researchers who made considerable contributions to the progression of
the behavioral approach to management are: Elton Myao, Mary Parker Follett, Douglas McGregor, Kurt Lewin,
Chester Barnard, Abraham Maslow, George Romans, etc.
Branches of Behavioral Approach to Management

The behavioral approach has been divided into two branches: the Human relations approach and the behavioral
science approach. In the human relations approach managers should know why their subordinates behave as they
do and what psychological and social factors have an impact on them. Supporters of this approach make an effort
to show how the process and functions of management are influenced by differences in individual behavior and
the influence of groups in the office.
Human Relations Approach
The initial encouragement for the movement came from the Hawthorne experiments. The term human
relations mean the way in which managers connect to subordinates. Managers face many difficulties because staff
members usually do not stick to predetermined and balanced patterns of behavior. Supporters of Human relations
approach feel that management should recognize employees need for recognition and social acceptance.
Management therefore involves getting things done with and through peopel. Understanding worker response and
inter-personal relations is essential in the development of any management approach. Thus, managers must be
competent in human relations skills along with technical skills. The core of human relations approach is "being nice
to workers" and it focused on the following six propositions:
1. A focus on people, rather than upon machines or economics
2. People exist in an organizational environment rather than an organized social context
3. A key activity in human relations is motivating people
4. Motivation should be directed towards team work which requires both the co-ordination and cooperation
of individuals involved.
5. Human relations, through team work, seeks to fulfill both individual and organizational objectives
simultaneously
6. Both individuals and organizations share desire for efficiency, that is, they try to achieve maximum results
with minimum inputs
Behavioral Science Approach
The Behavioral Science Approach is actually an extension of the Human Relations Approach. It gave value to
attitudes, behavior and performance of people and groups within the organisations. The advocates of the
behavioral science approach consider that humans are much more complex than the economic man description of
the classical approach and the social man description of the human relations approach. This approach focuses on
the nature of work, and the degree to which it will satisfy the human need to show skills and expertise.
The main propositions of behavioural science approach can be smmarised as under.
1. An organisation is a socio-technical system
2. Interpersonal or group behaviour of people in the organisation is influenced by a wide range of factors.
3. The goal;s of the organisation are to be harmanised with an understanding of the human needs
4. Multitude oof attitudes, perceptions and values are prevalent amongst employees and these characterise
thier behaviour and influence thier performance
5. As a result some degree of conflict is inevitable in the organisation and this need not be viewed
undesirable
The behavioural approach recognises the quality of leadership as a determining factor in management success. It
focuses on group relationship and recognises the role of individual psychology and group behaviour in
organisational effectiveness. It is thus an improved version of human relations approach.
Abraham Maslow, Fredrick Herzberg, Douglas McGregor, Victor Vroom, James March, Herbert Simon, Chestar
Barnard, etc., made significant contributions towards the behavioural science approach.
Contributions of the Behavioral Approach
 Improved usage of teams to achieve organizational goals.
 Emphasis on training and development of staff
 Use of innovative reward and incentive techniques.
 Furthermore the main focus on modern management theory led to empowering employees via shared
information.
Limitations of the Behavioral Approach to Management

Challenges for managers in difficult situations and the reality that human behavior is complex. This complicated
the problem for managers attempting to use insights from the behavioral sciences that regularly changed when
different behavioral scientists offered distinct alternatives.

Behavioral Approach To Management

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Topic: Behavioral approach to management (Evolution of Management Approach)

Branches of Behavioral Approach to Management

1. A focus on people, rather than upon machines or economics

2. People exist in an organizational environment rather than an organized social context

3. A key activity in human relations is motivating people

The main propositions of behavioural science approach can be smmarised as under.

1. An organisation is a socio-technical system

Contributions of the Behavioral Approach

 Improved usage of teams to achieve organizational goals.

 Emphasis on training and development of staff

 Use of innovative reward and incentive techniques.

Limitations of the Behavioral Approach to Management

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