Management and leadership: buccaneering or science?

Abstract

Purpose -This paper aims to determine the views of a select group of manager-students on general management and leadership and whether or not their views correspond to classical management theory. Design/methodology/approach -An exploratory-descriptive approach was employed. Specifically, a survey was conducted among final-year MBA students of a specific university. These students were all employed in management positions in their respective organisations. Findings -The students viewed general management and leadership as being the same and their views correspond to the theory underpinning classical management. Research limitations/implications -Statistically, the findings cannot be generalised beyond the scope of this study due to its exploratory nature. However, the concepts referred to in this study can inform and be tested in further research. Practical implications -It would seem that there is indeed a body of knowledge underpinning classical management. Mastery of this knowledge could enable managers to ensure the preferred competitive positions of their organisations. Originality/value -This paper focuses attention anew on classical management and its scientific nature as well as its contribution to the sustained competitive success of organisations.

Conceptualisation of management and leadership

“…However, the documented body of knowledge pertaining to leadership and management is relatively new (Nienaber and Roodt, 2008). This is consistent with the view of Grace (2003), who indicates that the root word of "leadership" (Greek and Latin) dates back to 800 CE (Common Era), while the root word of "management" (French) appeared in 1598 CE.…”

What do small business owner-managers do? A managerial work perspective

“…Source: prepared by the authors from (Analoui 1995); (Bateman and Stell 1998);(Carrol and Gillen 2002); (Giglioni and Bedeian 1974); (Kirsch 1996) and Koontz and Bradspies (1972); Koontz and O'Donnell (1978); Koontz, O'Donnell and Weihrich (1986);Lamond (2003); Lamond (2004); Machado-da-Silva, Vieira and Dellagnelo (1998); Neinaber and Roodt (2008); Oshagbemi and Ocholi (2005); Ouchi and Maguire (1975) and Yukl (1989) played by managers in their daily work routines. However, these roles can change their importance in accordance with the manager's hierarchical position in the organization, and according to environmental factors they are determined by the manager's personal characteristics and variations due to temporal, cyclical or sporadic factors (Mintzberg, 1973).…”

Estilos gerenciais do dirigente e estágios de desenvolvimento da pequena empresa: proposição de um modelo baseado nas funções e nos papéis do administrador e no setor metal-mecânico de Araraquara, Matão e São Carlos-SP

“…A liderança é um fenômeno multifacetado, e o seu estudo é vasto, multidisciplinar e complexo (KAST;ROSENZWEIG, 1992;KOONTZ, O´DONNELL, 1978;YUKL, 1989). Yukl (1989) (FAYOL, 1975;KATZ, 1974;KOONTZ;O´DONNELL, 1978;NEINABER;ROODT, 2008).…”

“…O conceito de liderança não é inequívoco, existem dezenas de definições, com inúmeras conotações e graus de ênfase sobre os seus significados (KAST;ROSENZWEIG, 1992;YUKL, 1989). Nessas definições estão presentes, implícita ou explicitamente, os termos influência e variações no grau de autoridade (FAYOL, 1975;KATZ, 1974;KOONTZ;O´DONNELL, 1978;NEINABER;ROODT, 2008;YUKL, 1989).…”

“…Para Koontz e O´Donnell (1978), a liderança como função administrativa incumbe-se do fator humano na organização, para que as tarefas sejam realizadas conforme os objetivos organizacionais. Esta função recebeu, ao longo do século XX, vários rótulos e contribuições teóricas, tais como: comandar, dirigir e motivar (NEINABER; ROODT, 2008), mas prevalece o propósito do exercício da autoridade, cujas atribuições e responsabilidades são inerentes a um determinado cargo (FAYOL, 1975;KOONTZ, O´DONNELL, 1978;NEINABER;ROODT, 2008). Portanto, as condições para a realização da função de liderar são: a legitimação do poder do posto e a ação do administrador (KAST;ROSENZWEIG, 1992;KOONTZ;O´DONNELL;WEIHRICH, 2006).…”