Transcript (Systems Thinking) Chester Barnard

+
Modern Approaches to
Management (Systems
Thinking) Chester
Barnard
+

Chester Irving Barnard (November 7, 1886 – June 7, 1961

Many of Chester Barnard’s theories are based off his
observations growing up during the “Booming 20’s” and
“Dirty 30’s” His theories were first published in the late
1930’s with his book The Functions of the Executive.
+
YouTube: Chester Barnard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtzgaeCEIQg
+

According to Barnard, organizations must meet two criteria
necessary for survival: effectiveness and efficiency.
Effectiveness is defined the usual way: as being able to
accomplish stated goals. However, Barnard's meaning of
organizational efficiency differed substantially from the
conventional use of the word. He defined efficiency of an
organization as the degree to which that organization is able
to satisfy the motives of the individuals. If an organization
satisfies the motives of its members while attaining its
explicit goals, cooperation among its members will last.
+
Barnard summarized the functions of the executive from his
1938 book The Functions of the Executive as follows:

Establishing and maintaining a system of communication;

Securing essential services from other members;

Formulating organizational purposes and objectives.
+

Barnard also formulated two interesting theories: one of
authority and the other of incentives. He seemed to argue
that managers should obtain authority by treating
subordinates with respect and competence. As for incentives,
he proposed two ways of convincing subordinates to
cooperate: tangible incentives and persuasion. He gives
great importance to persuasion, much more than to economic
incentives.
+
He described four general and four specific incentives. The
specific incentives were:

Money and other material inducements;

Personal non-material opportunities for distinction;

Desirable physical conditions of work;

Ideal benefactions, such as pride of workmanship etc.
+
List of Publications by Chester
Barnard

1938. The Functions of the Executive

1939. Dilemmas of Leadership in the Democratic Process.

1946. A Report on the International Control of Atomic Energy.

1948. Organization and Management

1956. Organization and Management: Selected Papers

1956. On the Teaching of Law in the Liberal Arts Curriculum. With Harold Joseph Berman.
Harvard Law

1958. Elementary Conditions of Business Morals.

1973. Conversations With Chester I. Barnard. Edited by William B. Wolf.

1986. Philosophy for Managers; Selected Papers of Chester I. Barnard. Edited by William
B. Wolf and Haruki Iino.
+
Sources:

* Marshall, Gordon (1998) "Chester I. Barnard" in A
Dictionary of Sociology.

* Scott, William G. (1992) Chester I. Barnard and the guardians
of the management state.

* Wolf, William B. (1974). The basic Barnard: an introduction to
Chester i. Barnard and his theories of organization and
management.

* Anicich, Adam. (2009) "Management Theorist: Chester
Barnard's Theories of Management," Doctoral Research
Papers, University of Maryland University College, DMGT
800, (2): 1-15.