Management is the process by which leaders direct and maintain organizational systems through methodical human effort. It is also defined as the generation and preservation of an internal environment where people work in teams to achieve set objectives (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). It is the art of creating the most suitable conditions for effective performance. It is also a continuous process that guides operations within companies and allows them to meet targets and achieve their objectives. Epic Designers Limited is an apparel company based in Hong Kong that focuses on the manufacture of clothing, garments, and accessories. The company embraces the scientific management theory to boost productivity and ensure profitability in its global network.
The Scope of Management
Individuals in administrative positions must accomplish specific tasks within an organization. For instance, they are expected to plan various activities by bringing together financial, human, and physical resources for the purpose of achieving set objectives. They should select and employ the personnel they guide and direct in completing assigned duties. The functional areas of management include financial, personnel, marketing, office, and production management (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). These are vital for the maintenance of efficiency and profitability in a competitive environment.
The principles of management are essential elements that determine the success of an organization’s leadership structure. The first is the division of labor, which leads to specialization, which is associated with increased efficiency. Authority is an important factor to consider because it determines the degree of responsibility in an organization. It is critical that discipline is maintained at all costs because the observation of outlined rules and regulations ensures that specified goals are met within the stipulated timelines. Unity of direction is an important principle that allows individuals to achieve common goals in an organizational context (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). It is vital to note that the management team must maintain a standard of equity. It is crucial to ensure that fairness and justice prevail within institutions. In addition, managers are expected to take the initiative by proposing and executing ideas freely. Finally, material order highlights the importance of keeping specific elements in particular locations while social order emphasizes the need to hire the right individual for a specified task.
The scope of management is determined by theories which guide organizational processes. For instance, the systems management theory highlights the fact that all the elements of an operation are related and interdependent. Basically, a system comprises separate but related parts that form one functioning institution (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). Management is defined as the ability to accomplish tasks through others. It is vital to note that organizations must interact with the environment in which they operate as part of an open system. The model stresses the need to adapt to change by emphasizing the need to embrace adjustments in social, political, or economic environments. It encourages a multidimensional approach to challenges and prompts individuals to solve problems caused by various interrelated factors.
The contingency management theory posits that there is no rigid approach to solving organizational issues because people, institutions, and situations evolve regularly. In essence, a manager’s effectiveness is dependent on the interplay between specific situations and the application of administrative principles (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). The model necessitates the evaluation of actions outside the system when making supervisory decisions. In addition, no action is universal because of the constant evolution of factors within the institution. Therefore, administrators’ actions are dependent on the firm’s strengths and weaknesses as well as the threats and opportunities present in their environment. Other theories that are applied in the running of organizations are the scientific approach and the human relations management theory. These theories were developed to facilitate increased productivity within specific industries. In addition, they were designed to ensure that resources are used efficiently to guarantee success.
Epic Designers Limited
The agency’s customers include some of the globe’s most renowned retailers who sell apparel in all of the world’s major cities. The organization was founded in Hong Kong in 1971 and was focused on trade rather than manufacturing (The CEO Magazine, 2020). It is vital to note that Epic Designers Limited is committed to sustainability and it is focused on improving manufacturing by maintaining a personal connection to stakeholders. The company designs, produces and distributes more than 100 million articles of clothing, which it exports to 47 countries, including the U.S. (The CEO Magazine, 2020). The business has a large workforce in Hong Kong, where product development is conducted. Additionally, the enterprise’s supply chain is hinged on the city’s distribution network.
The company employs individuals in various parts of the world to carry out its operations. For instance, nearly 90% of its 30,000 employees are women working in 16 factories spread across Ethiopia, Jordan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh (The CEO Magazine, 2020). The corporation ensures that its working environment is safe by ensuring adherence to the highest building and safety standards. It offers its personnel vital incentives like medical centers and child daycare facilities. Also, the organization runs a program focused on empowering women by supporting their health and human rights.
The company is working to introduce solar energy and replace washing machines in an attempt to conserve water and create a positive impact on the environment. The organization also hopes to standardize the use of recycled yarn by employing several textile scientists who have been tasked with ensuring that all garments are made from traceable raw materials (The CEO Magazine, 2020). The firm is making use of artificial intelligence in an attempt to stay ahead of the competition. Additionally, the business is evolving to meet contemporary demands by partnering with stakeholders to consistently deliver the best quality.
The Scientific Management Theory
The scientific management theory was developed during the industrial revolution to solve problems occasioned by the sudden growth of companies. There was a shift in American governance strategies in the latter part of the 19th century as businesses faced new challenges (Gull, 2017). The principles in the proposed model required a complete mental revolution of all the parties involved. Both managers and their employees were expected to re-evaluate their duties and responsibilities within the organization. F. W. Taylor is credited with forming the ideas that informed the creation and development of the model (Gull, 2017). It helped various institutions navigate the challenges occasioned by expanding markets, government involvement in business, and evolving consumer needs.
There are numerous examples of scientific management in the global economy. Manufacturing plants, like those owned by the Epic Designers company, run efficiently due to their reliance on scientific principles. Some organizations have chosen to avoid these ideas because they do not suit the nature of their work. The model is instrumental in 21st Century business because it distinguishes between work and management functions in a variety of industries (Gull, 2017). It should be noted that offshore markets are the direct result of the application of the scientific model in corporations. Its exhaustive evaluation of labor techniques has informed business practices outside the U.S., leading to low costs in countries like China and Korea (Gull, 2017). The scientific model has led to the development of contemporary management principles that are applied in a number of industries across the world.
It is vital to note that the scientific approach to management places emphasis on precision and exact measures. It is defined as the art of knowing what an organization’s employees need to do and ensuring that the goals are met in the cheapest and most effective way (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). This perspective’s principles include the fact that decisions are based on scientific fact, and harmony is preferred over discord. In addition, collaboration is preferred while individualism is shunned, and maximum output is the primary objective. Co-operation between employees and their supervisors is a fundamental aspect of management. Epic Designers Limited has created an environment in which hostility towards employees is virtually non-existent. The scientific approach to management also emphasizes the need to develop employee skills. This is evident in the apparel company, where the advancement of the workforce’s skills is the main aim. As a result, the institution has experienced increased human efficiency, productivity, and profitability in recent years.
The theory proposes scientific techniques that can be applied to determine a fair day’s task for each employee. The first is a time study where the duration it takes to accomplish specific tasks is recorded and analyzed to determine a standard duration for the exercise (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). Conducting a motion evaluation where body movements are scrutinized facilitates the removal of unnecessary activity when accomplishing tasks. Finally, a fatigue investigation informs managers of the amount of work and rest required for an average employee in the company. The Epic group has prioritized and applied scientific studies when creating suitable working conditions in its garment factories around the world. It is an industry leader and has taken the lead in an area reputed for dehumanizing working conditions. For instance, its factory in Bangladesh is an example to be emulated because many of the country’s manufacturing plants have led to the loss of thousands of lives (The CEO Magazine, 2020). The facility recently received a platinum rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design organization, which outlines the criteria and design required for the erection of eco-friendly facilities. The company estimates that it has spent between 5 and 10 million dollars to install safety features in its buildings in the last five years (Barrie, 2018). Using researched facts to guide planning processes ensures that employees are safe and motivated.
The selection of employees at the Epic Group’s plants is based on merit. According to the scientific management theory, education, work experience, and aptitude are important factors to consider when hiring individuals (Sherlekar, Khushpat, and Apexa, 2017). It is worth noting that standardization is a core principle across Epic Designers Limited’s factories. It is critical that work conditions, tools, and machines are similar to ensure that the staff works in a safe environment. The firm faced challenges in its Ethiopian plant as it worked to train and hire employees, many of whom were not accustomed to working every day (Barrie, 2018). It is also important to ensure that individuals engaged in similar activities have identical working conditions. This ensures that the quality of items produced is maintained across the organization’s manufacturing sites.
The Epic Designers company has reaped significant benefits from applying the scientific model of management. For example, it has witnessed a decline in production cost, seeing as it employs the latest technology in its plants. In its Jordan and Bangladesh plants, the company has installed laser finishing equipment that has replaced manual techniques used to create faded denim designs. This has significantly reduced production time and has facilitated the elimination of chemicals from the production process (Barrie, 2018). The business also produces high-quality products by applying standardization across its plants. The division of labor associated with this approach ensures that work is made simpler and completed in the most effective way possible. It is worth noting that creating a good work environment facilitates increased productivity. The Epic Designers organization acquired a denim and chinos factory in Jordan and spent five months upgrading it to meet industry standards (Barrie, 2018). Finally, the corporation is in a position to make the best use of resources and transfer gains to consumers.
Criticisms of the Scientific Method
Even though the scientific style of management allows organizational leaders to make the best use of resources, it has some drawbacks. For instance, it reduces employees to machines. The likeness of work methods causes monotony and reduces morale. This technique often leads to a loss in productivity in the long run because of increased employee apathy. It should be pointed out that it also leads to the loss of employment opportunities seeing as organizations that adopt its principles tend to use labor-saving machines. Critics argue that the scientific method of management leads to worker exploitation seeing as they do not share in the gains of increased productivity. Individuals who work in the garment industry usually get a tiny share of the profits generated from their hard work. The expectation of increased output from employees has been associated with increased stress. This is because the method provides specified working hours and limits the possibility of collective bargaining with trade unions (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). This undemocratic model promotes autocracy where employees work under the strict control of supervisors who deny them the opportunity to contribute to management decisions.
The implementation of scientific management principles is expensive because funds must be spent to standardize equipment. The process is time-consuming and involves the financing of complex studies. The excessive production associated with the model may lead to price cuts, which negatively affect a company’s profit margin. The model can only be applied in limited scenarios like manufacturing plants where employee performance can be assessed quantitatively. Its use in the service sector is limited due to the absence of qualitative assessment measures.
Psychological criticisms for the scientific method include the fact that it is a highly mechanical model, which leads to the elimination of the employee’s voice in management decisions. Adherence to a strict code of conduct has been associated with high rates of stress among members of staff. The approach also leads to increased exhaustion and fatigue, which predisposes workers to accidents and decreased productivity. It is vital to ensure that tasks remain interesting to limit boredom in the work environment. The absence of non-monetary incentives is a serious drawback associated with the scientific approach to management. However, the Epic Designers company has overcome this hurdle by offering its employees non-monetary rewards like daycare facilities, healthcare centers, and programs to address personal needs. The firm’s actions highlight the need to consider human factors in organizational management.
Human Relations Management Theory
Even though the Epic Designers company applies the scientific approach in management, certain aspects of its operations embody the human relations approach. People are an important aspect of management, and their psychological needs are inextricably linked to productivity. Non-economic rewards are a critical aspect of the managerial process. For instance, humane and respectful treatment coupled with a sense of belonging is sometimes more important than monetary gains (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). The Epic Designers organization runs the Global Women Economic Empowerment Initiative, which focuses on employee health, responsibilities, and rights (The CEO Magazine, 2020). This program has motivated many of the company’s employees and given them a reason to remain dedicated and productive. It is vital to note that the establishment also runs a daycare service that allows the employees to bring their children to work.
The human relations theory posits that people are the only active factors of production. Individuals are motivated by social needs, and they gain their sense of identity by interacting with others. Therefore, they are more responsive to the social forces governing an informal group compared to managerial controls or incentives (Sherlekar, Khushpat and Apexa, 2017). Therefore, the work environment is a social system where physical factors play a minimal role in determining productivity. Informal relationships determine the organization’s success in a highly competitive market. The Epic Designers company is focused on providing its female workers with excellent working conditions while maintaining 100% transparency (The CEO Magazine, 2020). The women form social bonds with each other by participating in programs aimed at ensuring that their wellbeing is prioritized. The social ties facilitate increased productivity in the workplace.
Conclusion
Management is the generation and preservation of an internal environment where individuals work together to achieve set objectives. Epic Designers Limited is committed to sustainability and is focused on improving manufacturing while maintaining a personal connection to stakeholders. It applies the scientific management theory in its operations around the world. The approach places emphasis on precision and exact measures when designing organizational policies. The selection of employees at the Epic Group’s plants adheres to the scientific management theory’s emphasis on education, work experience, and aptitude. The firm has reaped significant benefits from applying this model of management. For instance, it has experienced a decline in production cost because it uses the latest technology in its plants. In its Jordan and Bangladesh plants, the company has installed laser finishing equipment that has replaced manual techniques used to create faded denim designs. This has significantly reduced production time and has facilitated the elimination of chemicals from the production process. However, critics argue that the scientific method of management leads to worker exploitation, fatigue, and predisposes employees to accidents. Despite the drawbacks, the scientific model of management has facilitated the company’s growth as a global brand.
Reference List
Barrie, L. (2018) ‘Epic belief in Bangladesh drives continued growth’, Just Style, Web.
Gull, R. (2017) ‘Scientific management: Concept, principles, and relevance’, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI), 6(11), pp. 68–70. Web.
Sherlekar, S. A., Khushpat, J. S. and Apexa, J. V (2017) Principles of management. Mumbai: Himalaya Publishing House.
The CEO Magazine (2020) Ranjan Mahtani, CEO and Chairman of Epic Designers. Web.