Organisational Structures and Management Theorists

Abstract

In this chapter I shall examine three of the best known approaches to the structure of organisations and the ways in which these shape people’s behaviour: these theories of organisation and management are the classical theories which came to be known as scientific management, the human relations school of management and finally systems theories. These three represent chronologically the major stages in the development of theory, and as you may find it interesting to identify the main thinkers associated with each school of thought this is the method I have chosen by which to present the material. The chapter goes on to imagine what the future of organisational designs might be and illustrates with a case study how changing the structure can affect the service given as well as job satisfaction for the staff.