Page 46 - DCOM102_DMGT101_PRINCIPLES_AND_PRACTICES_OF_MANAGEMENT

Principles and Practices of Management

Notes Appraisal of Behavioural Science Approach

1. The study of human behaviour is of great significance in management. Since an individual
is a product of social system, his behaviour is not determined by organisational forces
alone, but many forces like perception, attitudes, habits, and socio-cultural environment
also shape his behaviour. Therefore, in understanding human behaviour in the
organisation, all these factors must be taken into account.
2. The behavioural approach suggests how the knowledge of human behaviour can be used
in making people more effective in the organisation.

3. Behaviourists have enriched management theory through their contributions in the areas
of group dynamics, motivation communication and leadership. However, they have failed
in developing an integrated theory of management. Although, study of human behaviour
in organisations is extremely important yet management cannot be confined only to this
area.
4. There are other variable such as technology and environment which have an important
bearing on the effectiveness of an organisation.

5. The behavioural science, refined as they might be, have not achieved the precision of the
physical sciences.
6. Often the complexities of the human factor and the organisational setting make exact
predictions impossible. It is not uncommon for programmes based on sound behavioural
principles to have unexpected results.

7. It should also be noted that the finding of behavioural science research are tentative and
require further investigation. They should not be treated as applicable to all situations.
8. Behavioural guidelines can be helpful and profitable, but are not complete, valid and
applicable to all situations.

Table 2.2: Human Relations Approach vs. Behavioural Sciences Approach
Human Relations Approach Behavioural Sciences Approach
1. Human relations approach laid emphasis 1. Behavioural science approach stressed
on the individual, his needs and upon groups and group behaviour.
behaviour.
2. It focussed on inter-personal 2. It focussed on group relationships.
relationships.
3. It was based on the Hawthorne 3. It refined the Human Relations Approach
Experiments and so its scope is limited. and has a wide scope. It is a much more
systematic study of human behaviour in
organisations.
4. It laid emphasis on informal groups 4. The behaviourists studied group
motivation, job satisfaction and morale. dynamics, informal organisation,
leadership motivation, and participative
management.

2.7 Quantitative Approach

This approach is also called ‘Mathematical’ , ‘Operations Research’ or ‘Management Science’
approach. The basic feature of the quantitative management thought is the use of mixed teams
of scientists from several disciplines. This school used scientific tools for providing a quantitative
base for managerial decisions. The techniques commonly used for managerial decision-making

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