Theories and Theorists
Order Instructions:
Theories and Theorists; Craft a 4- to 5-page paper in which you address the following instructions and questions:
- Identify two key theories in your field.
- Identify the theorist(s) and sources of the theories (key articles or books) in your discipline ( Public Policy and Administration).
- Describe the basic tenets of these theories.
- Analyze the relationship between the two theories that you have found.
- Explain why these theories are so important to your discipline and how they relate to the research that you are interested in doing.
- Include a reference list for the five “classics” or influential works you have found.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Theories
Two classical theories in public policy and administration are bureaucracy theory and the scientific management theory. The classical theories have explained the interaction of employers and capital control since the late nineteenth century. According to Hassan (2013), the theories focused on a period that employers were interested in the production process. They are an imperative way of understanding public policy administration that relates to the research that I will carry out.
Theorists
Max Weber is the theorist credited to bureaucracy theory while Fredrick Taylor and other intellectuals supported the scientific management theory. Max Weber was a famous German sociologist born in 1864 AD and is the mastermind behind the theory of Bureaucracy. The two terms bereau a Latin word used with cracy a Greek work meaning office and authority to explain bureaucracy as the authority in the office famously recognized in a hierarchical organizational structure. It is described as the lines, rules and procedures of governing the work assert Cook and Brian (2006). Weber divided the organizational managerial power structures into three namely charismatic, traditional and rational/legal authority. The scientific theory is believed to have emerged from the US around 1900 AD. Taylor’s interest in developing this theory was to reach adequacy productivity and the development of the economy through studying work dynamics, time and projects. His intention was increasing production.
Basic tenets of theories described
Bureaucracy theory closely relates to public administration to date, many years after its introduction. The relationship between the two theories is based on elements like policymaking, work division, organizational procedures, control, authority and responsibility. According to Borcherding, Dillon & Willett, (1998) the foundations of the bureaucracy theory are suitable for drawing organizational policies. Theorists believe that politics, management and social sciences should have a structure of administration that is consistent to bureaucracy standards. Public authority activities need administrative organizations with a bureaucratic character and existence of specific internal structural arrangements. Clear functional specialties should also be designed to govern organizations. With specific patterns of qualification levels for joining the bureaucratic organization, public administration flows smoothly argues Borcherding et al. (1998).
Scientific management theory evolved following the adequacy of workers, availability of resources, expansion of domestic markets and the substantial increase of export markets. These aspects facilitate focus on production problems for producers, marketing, tariffs and encourage the growth of industry asserts Fox and Miller (2006). The scientific theory focused on work productive levels and did not give attention to interaction and human relations in the organization. Despite its cons, the positive aspects of the scientific theory were its representation of the first generation in scientific thinking. It outperformed modern analysis tool in time management and work dynamics drawing organizational rules and methods of management.
Relationship between the two theories
Finding the relationship between scientific and bureaucratic theory is crucial to understanding public administration. These theories determine the structure of government institutions, large and small businesses. Both theories are from the classic school of thought and remain useful to public administration to date. They aim at improving public administration through proposing structures of organization and provision of tools. Large enterprises and governmental organizations rely on bureaucratic management while scientific management is an imperative aspect for manufacturing processes and management asserts Fox and Miller (2006). Both theories are relevant for shaping modern policy-making. The theories were a product of enormous intellectual efforts that contributed to making administrative processes possible. They were also starting point of modern theories formation. Concepts from the classical theories have been developed and used in many modern organizations. They are useful sources of research and study especially when dealing with public organization and administration. The theories have been useful in helping managers and CEO’s deal with their staff in work places or institutions. From their administrative insights, organizations and institutions developed new approaches of leadership and administration.
The importance of the two theories
Both theories are vital for public policy and administration as they help solve organizational problems. The ideal bureaucratic organization was for instance based on functional specialization. Through specializing functions in the organization the smooth running of activities is possible without leaving out duties unperformed. All duties are performed by staff who specialize in that field leading to the overall success of the organization. The distribution of business activities is another factor that Marx implies and distribution of authority. While duty distribution is about employees performing roles in line of their duty, authority distribution is having the hierarchy method of leadership prevail in an organization. The bureaucratic theory also implied specific use of methods and approaches for job performance. Methods like supervision are useful for overseeing the work amongst employees. Employees are supervised by the upper level on their work to ensure that they perform their duties well. Work and activities is also supervised in terms of qualifications and documents. Qualified employees stand a better chance of making it in the organization as compared to employees who have no documents to show what they are qualified for. The bureaucratic organization should be one that separates activities and tasks for the organization from private employee’s activities. There needs to be a difference between management and flexibility for training amongst other activities, which are all done differently for the benefit of the organization. Rules and regulations cannot be overlooked in an organization as they serve as the guiding actions for employees. Employees should understand and follow those rules strictly for efficacy in the organization (Cook and Brian, 2006). Marx view on functions, duties, hierarchy, approaches of job performance and activity separation are paramount to running organizations and public offices n every way.
Like Marx, Taylor based his theory on four aspects. The rule up thumb was replaced with normal working as a suitable scientific approach to study work and determine efficient ways of performing specific tasks. According to Taylor, matching employees to their qualifications and jobs based on capability and motivation would be a suitable way of maximizing efficacy at work. After matching them to their roles, monitor their work and performance. Use supervision and instructions to monitor how they are employing efficacy to work. The principle of supervision was also crucial for Marx. Fourthly, the allocation of work between employees and managers would be done differently. The managers would be expected to plan, train and allow task performance amongst employees. Taylor believed that money was a great source of motivation for employees and thus developed the fair day’s work. Low performing employees did not deserve to get the same amount of payment as highly productive employees. This approach is suitable in assessing employee motivation, productiveness, progression, laziness or less inclination to work and employee definition of organizational mission and vision. Taylor and Weber are great contributor of the management theory that remains timeless and very critical to administration. Public administration would have not been the same without the contribution of these two great intellectuals.
References
Borcherding, T. E.; Dillon, P. & Willett, T. D. (1998). “Henry George: Precursor to public
Choice analysis”. The American Journal of Economics and Sociology 57 (2): 173–182.
Cook, Brian J. (2006). “Making Democracy Safe for the World: Public Administration in the Political Thought of Woodrow Wilson.” In Handbook of Organizational Theory and Management: The Philosophical Approach Second Edition, eds. Thomas D. Lynch and Peter L. Cruise. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Fox, Charles J. and Hugh T. Miller. (2006). “Postmodern Philosophy, Postmodernity, and Public Organization Theory.” In Handbook of Organizational Theory and Management: The Philosophical Approach Second Edition, eds. Thomas D. Lynch and Peter L. Cruise. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Hassan, E. (2013). Classical theories of public administration, Walden University; University of Rockies
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