Management theorists: thinkers for the 21st century?
By Dilys Robinson (January 2005 Issue)
0 Comments 
Article Rating: 
Email to a friend | Print Version
The 20th century was remarkable for the rise of the professional manager – often basing his or her approach to management on a particular theory or favoured guru. MBA students all over the world have investigated these theories and written countless assignments discussing their value. As we progress through the 21st century, are these theories still relevant or have they had their day? This article is the first in a three-part series that looks ten influential theorists and the influence they still have. The series does not attempt to create a ‘top ten’ or rank contributions in any way (they are presented in chronological order), but aims to provide food for thought and debate. Part 1 looks at Machiavelli, Fayol and Taylor – three famous theorists who have all passed into management mythology, but whose views are sometimes misunderstood.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI,
1469–1527
The end justifies the means
Machiavelli lived in Florence, where he worked for the Florentine state as a secretary, then a diplomat. His best known work, The Prince,1 is based on his observation of Cesare Borgia – a cunning, cruel and self-seeking man. Machiavelli did not regard Cesare Borgia as an ideal person, but thought that, under him, the Florentines could unite Italy – and this was his long-term goal. In fact, Machiavelli’s tactic did not work, as the Medici (the ruling family of Florence) took exception to what he said, and Cesare Borgia himself also found the work insulting.
We have only displayed above the opening paragraph of this article. If you are a TJ subscriber, login now so you can download a PDF of this article in full, free of charge. For non-subscribers the PDF can be purchased for £9.00 see the "Buy Now" Option above.
Readers Comment
Be the first to comment on this news story
Buy Now
You can download this article free by subscribing and logging in as a Full TJ member
Price: £9.00
Articles from this Issue
- Finding a new job: the trainer's role in outplacement
- Motivation revisited
- Development challenges: looking at the future
- Trainer development: understanding reflective practice
- Hot pod learning
- Management theorists: thinkers for the 21st century?
- Focus opinion
- Performance management: an art and a science?
- Leading edge: managing people through directing, delegating and coaching
- Riding the waves of change
- Performance management of dispersed teams
- Netcheck
- Letter from Jamaica
- Spotlight on Jo Richler
- What is Learning Needs Anaylsis?