Similarities and Dissimilarities of Classical and Human Relation Approach.
Classical Theory and Human Relation Theory: are both an important theory of organization. Aim of both theories is to increase higher productivity and efficiency in the organization by using scientific methods in the management. Henry Fayol, Luther Gullick, L.F. Urwick, J.D. Mooney, A.C. Reiley, M.P. Follet and R. Shelton are the proponents of classical theory of organization. They believe that there are certain fundamental principles on the basis of which an organization can be established to achieve its specific goals.
The watch-words of this approach are efficiency and economy. This approach conceives that if these principles are fully adopted, it can bring maximum organizational efficiency and economy.
This theory focused on the structural aspects of the organization by neglecting the human aspects of organization. Thus, Human Relation Approach emerged, giving emphasis on the behavior of the individual in the organization. The advocates of this theory argues that group effort and collective endeavors of people, the study of management must be centered on the individual as a socio-psychological being and more concerned with his motivations. They view human relations as the heart of the task of management.
Both classical theory and Human Relation Approach differ in their approach. For designing the structure of the organization, classical theorist emphasis on certain principle. They believed that without these principles, no administration can be run efficiently. On the other hand the human relation approach emphasis on formal group behavior, psychological motivation and on human beings.
Similarities and Dissimilarities of Clinical and Human Relations Approach: Although the Human Rationalists and the classical theorists are antithetical in their approach, they are similar in their goals. Use of scientific methods in management, economy and efficiency of organization are the goals of both theories. The classical theorist used certain principles for higher productivity’s and efficiency of organization, and the human relation a theorist provides socio-psychological satisfaction to the individual for higher productivity’s and efficiency of organization.
Following are the differences of classical theory and the human relation theory:
The classical theory emphasis the formal organizational structure consisting of jobs and job descriptions as spelled out in charts and manuals. On the other hand human relations theory emphasizes on the informal organization i.e. the social relationship of workers within the organization.
The classical theorists believe that economic incentives and physical, conditions of work are the important factors of workers motivation while the human relationships felt that non-economic factor i.e. socio psychological rewards and group sanction are considered as important factors of workers motivation to work.
The classical theory emphasises the authoritarian style of supervision, while the human relations theory lays emphasis on democratic type of supervision.
The classical theory stress on structure, order, economic factors, rationality and the formal organization. In opposition the human relationship theory stress on informal groups in the organization.
The classical theory considers workers as various cogs in a machine. On the contrary the human relations theory considers workers as social beings who react to management, organization and work itself as members of groups rather than an individuals.
