Question

Compare and contrast the classical and human relations theories of management.

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The classical and human relations theories of management are both approaches to increasing productivity in the workplace, but their methods are in contrast. The classical theory of management is an authoritative method with a top-down management style, while the human relations theory focuses on improved communication and worker's needs.

Answer

Classical management theory and human relations theories contrast greatly. It can be said that classical theories were the earliest ones developed, while much of the human relations theories developed later as a reaction to them.
Classical theories align with McGregor's Theory X and also in some ways with Taylorism. They feature strict division of labor into different categories, including levels of management. Planning and communication are done in a "top down" fashion, meaning that information flows from top management downward. Many human relations theories, in contrast, allow for communication to come from the "front line" of workers up through the chain of management. The difference here is that, in classical management theory, workers are not considered to be very reliable. It is based on a theory of humanity that believe people are largely unmotivated and need things to be simple with much supervision. They also involve a great deal of specialization of labor, meaning that people are assigned only one simple task to perform repeatedly. Management's job is to help them find and adhere to the single most efficient way to do that task.
Human relations theories developed much later and are more complex, both in their view of people, as well as organizations. They fit with what McGregor called "Theory Y". These theories understand humans to be complex, and not just like "robots" who can do one task and be happy with it. These theories also value the input that workers have by making observations in their own work. It respects the individual by allowing for room to grow in the workplace, as well as to experience different tasks during the day. These theories are thought to produce better efficiency by motivating people because they feel part of the organization and understand its goals. It also recognizes that people are happier when their human needs are addressed and not just put aside for the good of the organization.

Answer

The classical management theory emphasizes the importance of sticking to procedures as a way to get things done more quickly and effectively. Workers are hired according to their skills and expertise and assigned a post. There are different hierarchies. Workers are supposed to listen to their supervisors and focus on achieving results. The human relations theory emphasizes on the relationship between workers and their superiors. According to this theory, the best way for the company to increase productivity is to look after the individual needs of the employees. Both theories are similar in that they are used in modern management as a way to encourage productivity. Most manufacturing plants use classical management theory because it works best in such an environment. On the other hand, human relations theory is used in modern office environments where teamwork is crucial to the overall productivity. The two theories are also different from each other. According to classical management theory, the best way to motivate workers is to adjust their wages according to their level of productivity. On the other hand, human relations theory believes in making the worker happy as a way to motivate them.

Answer

Classical management theory is sometimes called "scientific management," an approach pioneered by Frederick Winslow Taylor (in fact, the approach is sometimes called "Taylorism". Taylor's focus was on industrial management. He was obsessed with fostering efficiency, and he suggested that managers do this in a number of different ways. First, he advocated specialization to the extreme. Workers should focus not just on a single job, but on a single task that was part of a rigid division of labor. He also suggested that workers should receive economic incentives to be more productive. From a management perspective, classical management was unitary. Management decisions, ranging from personnel to production, were made by one manager, whose dictates were implemented by a series of middle managers. Classical management theory is based on the assumption that people are driven by purely economic motives. This assumption, which can be traced back to the writings of eighteenth-century economists, does not take other factors into account. Human relations management theory is, on the other hand, based on these non-economic motives. It assumes that workers need to feel that their work has value (beyond the purely economic) and that the workplace should be a space where positive social interactions led to increased productivity. Rather than simply "scoring" workers and rewarding them for efficiency, an approach which tended to foster an atmosphere of relentless competition in the workplace, managers should encourage workers to adopt a cooperative approach, one which emphasized the importance of social interaction among workers. So, unlike classical, or "scientific" management, human relations management assumes that people were motivated by the need for social interactions. 
As for comparisons between the two approaches, it should be noted that both are, in the final analysis, intended to make more money for business owners. Human relations management techniques, no less than classical ones, are ways to make workers more efficient and easier to control and, for lack of a better word, manage.

Answer

Classical management theory and human relations management theory are similar in that both view incentives as a strong motivator towards better performance. The difference between the two is the type of incentives offered. In Classical management, better wages and salaries are expected to translate to better performance. On the other hand, human relations viewed administration interaction and improved communication with the workers as a better incentive.
Classical management and human relations management theory are similar in that they both sought to increase productivity. They, however, differ in the way improved productivity should be achieved. Classical management suggested that a standard method of performing the duties required would increase worker efficiency and translate to improved productivity. On the other hand, human relations suggested that collaboration and teamwork would increase productivity by meeting the workers’ social needs.
Classical management differs from human relation because it views the workers as machines or as part of an assembly line. Human relations views workers as human beings with social needs that need to be satisfied for the well-being of the working institution.

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Compare and contrast the classical and human relations theories of management.

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