Individual Essay: Exploring the 'One Best Way to Manage' Concept

This essay critically examines the assertion that there is only one best way to manage, a concept central to the Foundations of Management course. It delves into the contingency theory, arguing against a singular approach and emphasizing the importance of situational factors in determining effective leadership and management styles. The essay analyzes how various organizational attributes, such as centralization of authority and formalization of rules, are influenced by these situational variables. It explores the impact of adopting a single management method, highlighting potential consequences such as employee dependence or conflict, while advocating for a more dynamic and adaptive approach. The discussion incorporates the views of influential management theorists and considers the implications of globalization and technological advancements on management practices, ultimately concluding that flexible and adaptive strategies are essential for sustained success. The essay stresses the necessity of innovation and a democratic environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and it underscores the importance of aligning management practices with the specific goals and purposes of the organization.

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Essay
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

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“There is only one best way to manage”
Introduction
Every enterprise is in need of a proper management because it plays an integral role in
the operation of the business. It is the management which converts the disorganised resources
of men, machines, money into a useful enterprise. Management plays an vital role because it
coordinates all the people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives. It is important
to note that management cannot have generalised rules and regulations because the cultural
and the behavioural pattern of every organization differs from place to place. In the words of
Morgan, “There is no best way of organizing. The appropriate form depends on the kind of
task or environment with which one is dealing” (Morgan 1986). The dictum that is
enumerated here is based on the contingency theory. According to the contingency theory,
management of a particular business should depend on particular situation; therefore, it
nullifies generalised notions of single dictum. This piece of paper aims to unravel the
disadvantages of one directional management.
Body
According to the contingency theory, management cannot practice single method to
manage because management should depend on situational factor. It nullifies any single style
of leadership practise. In the words of Fiedler’s contingency Model, “A leader is effective
when his or her style of leadership fits with the situation” (Donaldson 2001). However, there
can be variation to this thought because for a leadership it is important to understand the
purpose of the need and then apply his or her skills accordingly. Again, in situations like
surgical practices or crises like war there needs to be clear-cut instruction where the
predisposition will affect the selection criteria. Therefore, there might be some person who
might think it is better to rely on the judgement of the person rather than opting totally
against the situation. When a single method of management practices are adopted in an

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enterprise, there can be two type of consequences, either the follower or the employees will
get dependent on them becoming passive recipients or there might emerge tensions or
conflict with the management due to its coercive nature. This paper is going to argue against
the notion stating the important of the situational factors.
It is very unlikely for any business operation to depend on any single way because the
nature of business and organization is variable. With time, the management needs different
way to handle any problem, also because the nature of problems are growing complex.
Therefore sticking to a single method will make the management grow rigid and thus it will
remain inflexible with the changes occurring in time. Thus, it is very important to investigate
different framework to find solutions, this will allow the organization to work under different
environment circumstances. Depending on the situational and other factor gives the
organization a dynamic feature, which enable it to be adaptive than the ones which follow
static courses.
Studies show that depending on the situational factor not only helps in the proper
management of the institution but it also determines the organizational attributes like
centralization of authority or formalization of rules and procedures. Depending upon the
situational factor also enable to create: consideration leader and initiating structure leader.
Therese leaders help in building good rapport and interpersonal relationship between the
subordinates and superordinate (Whalen et al 2016.). It is important to notice that with time
things are changing at a rapid speed and sticking on kind of policy will not help in
deciphering the problem but also it restrict the understanding of the problem itself. Sticking
on point or a single method will also hinder the growth in innovation. This kind of
environment will also facilitate the followers and the employees to come up with new and
varied ways of thinking. Mostly importantly innovative thinking, which refers to fresh

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independent thought and this kind of approach cannot be nurtured when the authority rigid
lies in a concentrated where the only one single person is entitled to make decision.
Depending on the situation factor also helps in creating a democratic environment
where every single person gets the equal chance of opportunity to speak for himself and
contribute effectively in the management. This kind of approach also do not demand
everyone to strictly adhere to excellence it gives the space that is needed for cultivation of
personal talents. Everyone do not have to have leadership skills because the needs to will
vary in different contexts and every situation will not demand the similar kind of solution
(Alexander 2017). Therefore the knowledge to handle different situation will be nurtured and
it will also give the space where an individual can inculcate their own uniqueness. It does not
need to follow any single standard thus; there will be no universal approach as the having a
universal approach can hinder the diverse nature of reality.
Moreover, it is important to understand that the a priori decision will not influence the
situational factor. It is basically the situational factor that needs to analysed by the mangers
through before taking any decision. Thus, it is the presence of the various factors, which will
affect the decision-making of the organization, not just any random one way. Sticking to the
single format will restrict the adaptive nature of the organization thus, it will not be able to
keep the pace with the time. Unable to do so it will make the work culture and work pattern
grow monotonous and may further deteriorate the situation and the business transaction.
In the age of globalization, where technology and science is changing the equation of
man and environment in rapid, nothing ought to remain static. Thing are moving at a rapid
speed where it is the velocity that is affecting the lives of the people. This is accelerated
because of the improvement in technology and communication (GwoĨdziewicz and
Prokopowicz 2016). The rise of social network or digital media, the fast transportation these
have accelerated the business activities now in midst with all these kind of changes, if the

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organization follows a single framework it will bring hazardous consequences on the
management, employees and vice versa. Thus, it is very important to discuss and preach a
collaborative working pattern. This collaboration will help to sustain longer as it help in
adapting with the changes occurring in time period. Depending on the situation, not only
affects the pattern of management to be more adaptive with the changing nuances of the
market but it also shows the potential of having skill to predict. Since it is depended on the
situational analysis, there will be keen analysis of the situational factor that has the potential
for affecting the decision of the business administration. Therefore the leaders can also
engage in future prediction, as a result a the magnet will create flexible environment and can
progress for the betterment of the society as well as the business transaction.
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that opining for single method of administration cannot
stand worthwhile in longer run. Although is cases of emergency it is important to have a
string option but that cannot stand the test of time. In longer run the business administration
need to flexible and adaptive, thus it is important to understand the situational factors rather
than having a single method of instruction in the management. Depending in the situational
factor can make the business enterprise more effective and it will also nurturing the various
leadership quality. As there is no single method, there is no universal standard, therefore
every leadership quality will be getting the recognition. Different solution will be needed for
addressing the different and complex nature of the problem. This kind of theory also suggests
the need for having innovation, which refers to the fresh independent thinking. This kind of
thinking will only be realised when there is no rigid principle and people are free to think and
hone up their skills. In the age of globalization, when things are changing at a rapid speed one
needs to address the changes not just merely sticking on set of ideas or principles. Having sad

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it is also important to address always relying on the situational factor may not always show
the right track. Therefore, it should be the purpose; hat can serve as driving factor in
management. Neither the follower nor the leader but both of these two must address the
purpose for which they assembled in single space. This kind of approach can be very useful
human resources planning and if it is effectively utilised it can be broadened and thus
ensuring an inclusive development.

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References
Alexander, E., 2017. After rationality: Towards a contingency theory for planning.
In Explorations in planning theory (pp. 45-64). Routledge.
Donaldson, L., 2001. The contingency theory of organizations. Sage.
GwoĨdziewicz, S. and Prokopowicz, D., 2016. GLOBALIZATION AND THE PROCESS
OF THE SYSTEMIC AND NORMATIVE ADAPTATION OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM
IN POLAND TO THE EUROPEAN UNION STANDARDS.
Morgan, Gareth. 1986. Images of Organization. San Francisco: Berrett-Kohler Publishers,
Inc. and SAGE Publications, Inc., p. 44. (Page numbers refer to the Executive Edition,
published in 1998. Most recent edition published in 2007.
Whalen, P., Uslay, C., Pascal, V.J., Omura, G., McAuley, A., Kasouf, C.J., Jones, R.,
Hultman, C.M., Hills, G.E., Hansen, D.J. and Gilmore, A., 2016. Anatomy of competitive
advantage: towards a contingency theory of entrepreneurial marketing. Journal of Strategic
Marketing, 24(1), pp.5-19.