Administration is not a new concept, it is an activity that has been presented since ancient times, starting from primitive man, when the need arose to settle as a group of men and women in a specific place, passing through the great cultures to world level, who contributed their ideas and solutions to problems that have been presented, and reaching the present day where it has developed as a whole science, being part of people's daily lives, and helping to solve problems and meet needs from groups within society such as individuals, families, businesses and even entire nations.
Without a doubt, in its beginnings, the administration did not arise as we know it today, it had to go through a long period of time in which it has been perfected, acquiring value due to the processes, strategies, tools and ideals that They have been implemented to facilitate administrative processes within each of the organizations in which it is employed.
In order to better understand this evolution or the change that has been generated over the years, it is necessary to keep in mind some basic concepts, which will serve as a solid foundation, in the total knowledge of the administration.
Concepts of "Administration".
George R. Terry, a historical figure who generated great advances in the area of administration, mentioned that administration consists of getting things done or done through other people or through the efforts of others.
For José A. Fernández Arenas, administration is a social science in which the satisfaction of objectives or goals of an organization or institution is pursued, through a structure and through the effort of an everyday human being.
Authors such as Lourdes Münch Galindo and José García Martínez mention that administration, more than a science, is a process whose general objective is the effective and efficient coordination of the resources of an organization or social group, in order to achieve its objectives with maximum productivity. can be had.
Other authors such as Andrea Kaplan detail that the administration developed in Europe is an intercultural and social management, which is based on an approach from different disciplines.
The teacher Idalberto Chiavenato mentions in his books that the word "Administration" comes from the Latin "Ad" (Towards, tendency or direction) and "Minister" (Subordination or obedience) and mentions that its meaning is "He who performs a low function the command of another. "
Definitions and authors can be found many, who have contributed great elements to the definition of the word "Administration", it has been tried to mention some ideas that can encompass each of these definitions in order to expand the vision that one has when thinking about this branch of science or in this activity so present in the lives of people and organizations. However, most of these concepts or ideas have a very similar pattern in which it is mentioned:
- One or several objectives that the administration seeks to fulfill. It refers to efficiency, to work or activities carried out in a timely manner. Efficiency is mentioned, a concept associated with high quality. Administration is presented within a society (individuals, groups, organizations, etc.) Good coordination between existing resources. Obtain maximum results, effectively and efficiently, that is, be productive.
The administration is leading the way in many aspects, since, similar to some other fields, it does not have a significant guide, apart from the knowledge that has been accumulated over many years, due to its implementation.
Evolution of the reasoning about the administration.
The so-called Jungle of the theory of administration, is made up of many and very varied contributions from writers and practitioners of this area of science, which is why it is necessary to know some ideals that emerged through the years, and who were its greatest representatives.
- Scientific administration.
Frederick W. Taylor
Outstanding works: Shop Management (1903) Principles of Scientific Management (1911) Testimony before the Special House Committee (1912).
Known as the father of the scientific administration, one of his main objectives was to raise productivity through greater efficiency in production and better economic remuneration for the workers by applying the scientific method. Their ideals were developed due to the use of science, the creation of harmony and unity and group work allowing the achievement of optimal production and the individual growth of workers.
- Classic theory of administration.
The TCA indicates that the bases or foundations of administration are not tangible and that they may affect the administrative conduct of an organization. She says that you can get to increase the efficiency of a company through its organization, the way in which it is structured and its interrelation. This theory has a totally opposite approach to that of the Scientific Administration and assumes that a company or organization is a closed system, which is not affected in any way by environmental influences or variations that human behavior can generate. Some of the most important points that are handled in this theory are divided into six groups:
- Technical functions Commercial functions Financial functions Security functions Accounting functions Administrative functions
- Modern operational management theory.
Henri Fayol
Outstanding works: Administration Industrielle et Générale (1916)
Fayol was in charge of dividing the activities carried out in a company or industry into six groups: Technical, commercial, financial, security, accounting and managerial. Due to this, the need to study and teach administration became more present and it formulated fourteen foundations of administration, such as authority, unity of command, chain of scale, etc.
- Behavioral science
Hugo Münsterberg (1912) Walter Dill Scott (1910) Max Weber (1946, 1947)
In this division, the authors took a very different approach to what was previously seen as administration, and the psychological approach. Hugo Munsterberg highlighted the need for the application of psychology in organizations and primarily in the area of administration, while Dill Scott placed greater emphasis on the application of psychology in advertising, marketing and company personnel. Max Weber for his part postulated the Theory of the bureaucracy.
- Systems theory.
Chester Barnard
Outstanding works: The Functions of the Executive (1938)
He stressed that one of the activities that managers must develop is to maintain a cooperative effort system and based on this, a broad social systems approach was given to manage.
- Organizational Theory X and Y.
Herbert Alexander Simon and Mc Gregor.
Outstanding works: The human side of the organizations (1960)
People are given greater importance, since the needs that each individual may have are taken into account, and which they undoubtedly seek to cover by belonging to an organization or company. Only when a person's basic needs, in this case a worker, are satisfied, can they be motivated to seek to satisfy the needs that arise at a next level. Mc Gregor makes a very sharp distinction to what he defines as style X and style Y. In the first part, mention is made of the mechanized behavior of the administration, which considers any person as inattentive, lazy, incapable. of self-control and without discipline. The Y style, has a very different shape, defines that a person is capable of learning, is responsible and is motivated,therefore, it is possible to have an open and dynamic administration system.
- Modern administrative thinking.
William Ouchi (1981)
Undoubtedly this category is very broad, since it is necessary to refer to all the advances that have been made in recent years, however, for the moment, mention will only be made of the work of Ouchi, who observed and analyzed some administrative practices from from Japan, applied to an American environment.
Management approaches.
All this development in the field of how the administration was carried out, also produced different approaches, with which it could be made easier to adapt a different point of view of the administration to each company or organization, depending of the specific needs that had to be met.
- Empirical or case approach.
It is in charge of studying the experience from specific cases, identifying which are classified as successes or failures.
- Management functions approach.
It was based on the analysis and observation of five executive directors. Based on this, ten managerial functions were determined that can be classified as interpersonal, informational and decision-making.
- Contingency or situational approach.
Contingency theory is based on the influence of certain solutions on models of organizational behavior.
- Mathematical approach.
It refers to administration as part of mathematical processes, concepts, symbols, and models, a uniquely logical process, which can be expressed in mathematical symbols and relationships.
- Decision theory approach.
With a point of view put in those who are in charge of deciding and the process that this entails, some authors use it as a basis to study all the activities within an organization.
- Reengineering approach.
It is based on thoughts of process analysis, radical redesign and spectacular results.
- Systems approach.
Concept that explains that although a system has borders, it also interacts with the environment that surrounds it, which supposes that a company is an open system, emphasizes the importance of studying the interrelation to plan, organize and control a company or organization.
- Sociotechnical systems approach.
From this perspective, it is recognized that the technical system has a very large effect on the social system, that is, on the attitudes of individual workers and their group behavior. He has his goals set in areas such as production, office operations, and other related areas.
- Social cooperative systems approach.
It is concerned with the behaviors that can occur in an interpersonal and group way that lead to a cooperation system, towards a clear purpose.
- Group behavior approach.
The greatest importance of this approach lies in people's behavior, when they are in a group, its foundations are social sociology and psychology.
- Interpersonal behavior approach.
It is based on individual psychology, it seeks the study of the behavior of each individual in a particular way. She has a vision for human relationships, leadership and motivation that may be within an organization.
- The McKinsey Seven S Frame.
For its acronym in English: Strategy, structure, systems, style, personnel, shared values and skills.
- Total quality management approach.
Its vision is towards the proportion of products and services that are reliable and satisfactory, suitable for its use and that comply with quality requirements. The fundamental concepts of this approach are: Continuous improvement, attention to detail, teamwork and quality education.
- Management or operational process approach.
It recounts concepts or principles, techniques and knowledge of other management fields and approaches. A classification system development built on the managerial functions of planning, organizing, hiring, directing, and controlling is employed.
Without a doubt, the administration has been changing over time, it has been perfected to have applications as specific and specific as it is known today, which is why in recent years some of the characteristics that it must meet can be defined., so that the administration is a highly efficient process and that it meets the expectations of any type of organization.
Be universal, with the administrative phenomenon being the general process for decision-making with a broad vision to fulfill objectives or goals effectively and efficiently, through processes such as planning, organization, direction and control. It is a tool that allows you to coordinate the resources you have to achieve the best possible results. Its application has no limits, it can be used in public or private organizations, in companies, schools, hospitals, micho, small, medium or large industries, and for this reason the term "universal" is applied, since it is sought that in any organization that apply, help continuous improvement.
Being specific, although the administration can become related to other business areas, it is very punctual in that its processes are specific and require their own preparation and study of the subject.
It has a hierarchy system, all the people who work within an organization belong to a single administrative body, in which they take specific positions with which they can keep in mind what their obligations and rights are, with whom and for whom they work and with it develop to a lesser or greater degree, the administrative processes that are required.
It has one or several specific purposes, this characteristic is very important, since the objectives of any organization must be known, in order to be able to trace the best path towards overcoming them, in this way it can facilitate the resolution of problems and the organization's ability to make use of the tools and strategies that management has to offer.
Extent of exercise, this indicates that the administration can be put into practice by any sector of the company or the organization, that is to say, administrative processes can be put into action both in general directions, managements, supervisions, the labor sector, etc. And thinking about society, from an organizational point of view, the administration can be seen present from presidencies or governments to even a small group such as a family.
It is related to many and very various disciplines, that is to say, it is interdisciplinary, since it puts into practice bases and foundations of other sciences. The processes, procedures, strategies or tools that can be used in administration are highly related to sciences such as mathematics, statistics, law, economics, accounting, psychology, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, etc.
Conclusion.
The administration has allowed the development of multiple ideals or approaches, with which it has been possible to meet the needs that we have as a society. Seen within an organization, the administration complies with some specific aspects such as planning, organizing, directing and controlling the resources that are available, always focused on fulfilling one or several well-established purposes or objectives.
There are different skills and competencies that a good administrator must develop, in order to do his job well, but in the world of work there are some that companies seek mainly as they are, their attitude, since the administrator must be the one who motivates a change of mentality in the organization, in the processes that are carried out, in the activities that are carried out, and finally in the products or services that are offered to the general public.
Another very important point that should be highlighted is that its raw material, or an element that must be present in its work, is innovation, since it is the person who bears the responsibility for making the company more effective and efficient, as well as Competitive, always keeping an eye on making the organization a success in a business world full of changes and very tough skills.
The administrator must fulfill many characteristics, but all of this leads to good both in his professional life and in his personal life, developing a unique gift of leadership within any type of organization.
Bibliography
Harold Koontz, Heinz Weihrich, Mark Cannice, Administration a global and business perspective, Fourteenth edition, McGraw-Hill / INTERAMERICANA EDITORES SA DE CV México DF, 2012
CHIAVENATO Idalberto, Introduction to the General Theory of Administration, Seventh Edition, McGraw-Hill / Interamericana, México DF, 2004.
Martínez García Nayeli. (2012, October 18). Evolution of administration and administrative theory. Recovered from
Vásquez Rojas Claudia. (2012, October 16). Evolution of administration and administrative theories. Recovered from
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