Henri Fayol’s book was published in English as ‘General and Industrial Management’. It is widely considered a foundational work in which of the following?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Classical management theory
Option (1) Classical management theory — Correct. Fayol’s book is widely considered a foundational work in classical management theory. His Administrative Theory is one stream of the classical school, along with Taylor’s scientific management and Weber’s bureaucracy.
Option (2) Human relations approach — Incorrect. This is the neo-classical school of the 1920s to 1950s. It held that employees are guided also by social needs, drives and attitudes, not only by rules and money. It came after Fayol and turned to the human side, so it is not where his administrative principles belong.
Option (3) Behavioural science approach — Incorrect. Also called organisational humanism, it was built by organisational behaviourists like Argyris, McGregor, Maslow and Herzberg, using psychology, sociology and anthropology. It grew later from the human relations school; Fayol’s work came before it.
Option (4) Management science/operational research — Incorrect. This approach stresses research on operations and the use of quantitative techniques to help managers take decisions. Fayol’s principles came from his own experience.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Fayol’s Principles of Management Based largely on his own experience, he developed his concept of administration. The 14 principles of management propounded by him were discussed in detail in his book published in 1917, ‘Administration industrielle et generale’. It was published in English as ‘General and Industrial Management’ in 1949 and is widely considered a foundational work in classical management theory. For his contribution he is also known as the ‘Father of General Management’” |