Test: Approaches to Public Administration - UGC NET MCQ

• Woodrow Wilson's Contributions: Woodrow Wilson is recognized as the father of Public Administration due to his significant contributions to the field. He played a crucial role in establishing public administration as a science and a separate academic study.
• Evolution of Public Administration: The practice of administration has existed since ancient times. However, societal needs and the progress of civilization have led to the evolution of public administration in terms of systems and methods.
• Wilson's Article: Wilson's publication of the article "The Study of Administration" in 1887 is considered a milestone in legitimizing public administration as a field of study.
• Politics-Administration Dichotomy: Wilson's development of the Politics-Administration Dichotomy theory is another significant achievement. This theory emphasizes the separation of political and administrative roles for effective governance.
  • Role Distinctions: Wilson advocated for a clear distinction between elected politicians and administrators. He believed that administrators should not hold political office to maintain objectivity in decision-making.
  • Administrative Neutrality: Wilson emphasized that bureaucrats should remain politically neutral to make unbiased decisions for the common good, free from political influences.

Therefore, Woodrow Wilson is hailed as the father of Public Administration because of his emphasis on the need for a separate study of Public Administration.

• Time and Motion Studies and Mental Revolution - These concepts are closely related to Taylor's Scientific Management.
• Taylor's Scientific Management aims to enhance employee efficiency and compensation to improve overall productivity.
• It focuses on determining the most efficient way to carry out each task.
• The approach involves providing scientific training and development to employees.
• It emphasizes the importance of close collaboration between management and workers.
• Principles of Scientific Management:
  • Time and Motion Studies: Taylor used this method to establish performance standards for tasks, making the work more consistent in terms of cost, timeliness, and quality.
  • Differential Wage System: Taylor implemented this system to enhance workers' efficiency by setting a standard output under the scheme.
  • Division of Responsibility: Taylor advocated for an equal division of responsibilities between management and workers through Functional Foremanship.
  • Mental Revolution: Taylor proposed a mindset shift where both management and employees should have a friendly relationship.
  • Time Study: Involves tracking the time taken to complete each task.
  • Fatigue and Motion Study: Identifies and eliminates unproductive and unnecessary movements during task execution.
• Therefore, Time and Motion Studies and Mental Revolution are key concepts associated with Taylor's Scientific Management.

The Significance of Hawthorne Experiments in Organizational Theory

• At the turn of the 20th century, organizations were primarily focused on utilizing scientific methods to enhance worker productivity.
• However, a pivotal shift occurred in 1924 with the commencement of the Hawthorne Studies, a 9-year research initiative conducted at Western Electric Companies.
• These studies, spearheaded by Elton Mayo and Fritz Roethlisberger, revealed that the informal social structure within an organization significantly influenced employee behavior.
• The Hawthorne Studies ultimately gave rise to the Human Relations Movement in the realm of business management.
  • The experiments aimed to assess the impact of various work conditions, such as lighting levels, payment systems, and work hours, on employee output.
  • It was deduced that changes in productivity were not solely attributed to alterations in physical conditions or material incentives but were also influenced by the experimental interventions themselves.
  • The special attention given to participants in the experiments instilled a sense of care from management, subsequently boosting morale and productivity.
  • The term ‘Hawthorne effect’ is now widely used to describe the behavioral changes resulting from being the subject of social scrutiny.
  • The studies underscored the significant impact of supervisory styles on worker efficiency.
  • These findings contradicted the principles of scientific management, which posited that employees were primarily driven by individual economic motives.
  • The Hawthorne studies emphasized the importance of social needs as an additional motivational factor.
  • While economic incentives were acknowledged as influential, they were no longer considered the sole determinant of employee responses.

The incorrect match is Herbert Simon - The Functions of the Executive.

• The Functions of the Executive is a book by Chester I. Barnard that presents a "theory of cooperation and organization" and "a study of the functions and of the methods of operation of executives in formal organizations."
• On the other hand, Herbert A. Simon (1916–2001) was an American economist and political scientist who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1978 for his contributions to modern business economics and administrative research.

Additional Information 

Let's see the other writers and their books:

• L.D. White is an American Historian who specialized in public administration. He had written the book Introduction to the Study of Public Administration. In this book, he grouped studies of the tenure of various American presidents.
• M.P. Follett had written Creative Experience. It was first published in 1924 and reflected Mary Parker Follett's growing interest in the problems of industrial relations and the realm of management.
• W.F. Willoughby wrote the book Principles of Public Administration in 1927 which appeared as the second textbook in the field and reflected the new thrust of public administration.

Human Relation Theory focuses on:

• People
• Structure
• Principles of organization
• Informal groups

Selecting the correct answer:
(ii) and (iii)

Key Points

• The main focus of human relations theory is on the demands of individuals and groups, and the resulting actions.
• Managing people requires an interpersonal approach, integrating both formal and informal aspects of an organization.

• Six fundamental tenets form the core of human relations theory:

  • An emphasis on people over technology or the economy.
  • The organizational environment is not just a structured social setting.
  • Human interactions play a vital role in motivating individuals.
  • Teamwork, based on coordination and cooperation, is essential for motivation.
  • Human relations within teams should align individual and organizational objectives.
  • Efficiency is sought by both individuals and organizations to achieve optimal results with minimal resources.

Sequence of Management Theories in Origin

• F. W. Taylor - Scientific Management Theory (1909)
  • In 1909, Taylor published "The Principles of Scientific Management." He proposed that optimizing and simplifying jobs would increase productivity.
  • The four principles of Taylor's scientific management are: Science, not rule of thumb; Harmony, not discord; Cooperation, not individualism.
  • Principles of Scientific Management:
    • Develop a science for each element of work.
    • Scientifically select, train, teach, and develop the worker.
    • Cooperate with the worker.
    • Divide the work and responsibility.
• Henri Fayol - Administrative Management Theory (1916)
  • The Administrative Theory of Management was introduced by Henri Fayol with his work and publications.
  • Fayol is known as the father of general management and identified four functions of management: Planning, Organizing, Directing, and Controlling.
  • Fayol's 14 Principles of Management and Administration Industrielle et Generale are significant.
• Max Weber - Bureaucracy Management Theory (1922)
  • The bureaucratic theory of public administration was developed by Max Weber in Economy and Society in 1922.
  • It suggests tasks should be divided among employees based on competencies and specializations for efficiency.
  • This approach ensures employees understand their roles and responsibilities in the organization.
• Elton Mayo - Human Relations Management Theory (1924 and 1932)
  • The human relations theory of management began in the early 1920s, focusing on the importance of people for productivity.
  • Elton Mayo's Hawthorne Studies emphasized human aspects over machines for productivity.
  • The theory highlighted the influence of relationships on productivity and the need for diverse managerial skills.
• Bertalanffy's System Theory (1968)
  • Ludwig von Bertalanffy outlined General Systems Theory (GST) in 1968, suggesting complex systems share organizing principles.
  • Bertalanffy is known for his theory of open systems, proposing new models to explain phenomena.
  • General System Theory emphasizes breaking down systems into parts and understanding their interactions.
  • Basic elements of the systems model include output, process, input, and feedback for control.

Therefore, the correct sequence is D - E - C - B - A.

List Matching of Thinkers and Ideas

Important Points

• The POSDCORB view of Public Administration was propounded by Luther Gulick. According to him, all organizations engage in similar POSDCORB (Planning,  Organisation, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, Budgeting) activities and have similar management issues.
• Herbert Simon proposed the Decision-making theory. His theory offers a more realistic perspective on the world, where choices have an impact on costs and outputs. He claimed that choosing amongst several options is what it means to make a decision.
• Frederick Winslow Taylor started the Scientific Management movement and hypothesized scientific management theory. Taylor's theory was centered on the idea that improving the way the work was done was more effective than making people work as hard as they could.
• According to Abraham Maslow's theory, a hierarchy of psychological requirements underpins human decision-making and proposed the human need hierarchy. 
• According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a theory of motivation, a person's conduct is determined by five categories of basic human needs. These needs include for physiology, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

• The acronym 'POSDCORB' is a concept in management that outlines the key functions of administration.
• It stands for Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting.
• In this acronym, the letter 'R' represents the function of Reporting.
• Reporting involves informing the executive's superiors within the organization about the current situation.
• It is an essential part of the management process as it facilitates communication and transparency within the organization.

Important Points

• According to Henry Fayol, the five functional parts that express the scope of administration are planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling.
• Luther Gulick amended Fayol's concept and proposed the seven functions of POSDCORB, which includes Reporting.
• Reporting is crucial for conveying information to higher management and ensuring smooth operations within the organization.
• Each component of POSDCORB plays a vital role in effective management and organizational success.

• Woodrow Wilson: In the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson is considered the father of public administration. He referred to public administration as the 'Science of Administration' in his book 'The Study of Administration'.
• Luther Gullick and Lyndall Urwick: In 1937, Luther Gullick and Lyndall Urwick co-authored a renowned book titled 'Papers on the science of administration'. They highlighted principles for making public administration more scientific.
• Robert Dahl: Robert Dahl did not view Public Administration as a science. His argument was not against the possibility of public administration becoming a science but rather a critique of the claims suggesting the establishment of universal laws or truths in this field.

Over time, with advancements in social sciences, the subject of public administration has evolved, requiring it to rely on relevant and fundamental principles akin to those of science. Hence, the correct answer is - only a, b, and c.

Mistake Points

• Robert Dahl: Did not consider Public Administration as science.
• Dahl's perspective was not a denial of the potential scientific nature of public administration but rather a criticism of claims suggesting the existence of universal laws or truths in this field.

Understanding the Matched Lists

• Decision Making
  • Initiated by Herbert Simon
  • Herbert Simon's research focused on human decision-making processes.
  • He described decision-making as the heart of an organization.
  • Simon divided the decision-making process into three phases: Intelligence, Design, and Choice activities.
• Ecological Approach
  • Initiated by Fred Riggs
  • Riggs applied this approach in the field of Public Administration.
  • He created the typology known as Agraria-Transitia-Industria.
  • Riggs also introduced the Fused-Prismatic-Diffracted model to understand Public Administration better.
• New Public Administration
  • Initiated by the Minnowbrook Conference 1968
  • After the 1968 Minnowbrook Conference, the New Public Administration Movement evolved significantly in theories and practices.
  • Experts emphasized the need for a change in public administration due to technological advancements affecting state activities.
• Development Administration
  • Initiated by Edward Wiedner
  • It involves executing developmental programs and projects for nation-building and socio-economic progress through public administration.
  • Edward Wiedner provided a systematic explanation of development administration.

Based on the matched lists, the correct option is A - III, B - I, C - IV, D - II.