Management Theories
Business: AQA A Level (2023 Specification), topic 2.1.2
Tannenbaum and Schmidt's Theories on Management
Theorists Tannenbaum and Schmidt also propose their own theory about different styles of management & leadership. They show this on their 'management continuum'.
The management continuum
Left of the continuum
- At the far left of the continuum, managers maintain full authority and decision making power.
- At the far left of the continuum, managers communicate such decisions to employees who have to comply.
- The left of the continuum is similar to an approach of autocratic leadership.
Right of the continuum
- At the far right of the continuum, employees are given authority and decision making power.
- The right of the continuum is similar to an approach of democratic leadership.
Stages on the continuum
- Towards the left of the continuum, employees are still informed of decisions, though will be involved in discussions to provide employee buy-in.
- Towards the centre-left of the continuum, employees are invited to question and debate ideas, though overall authority is still maintained by the manager.
- Towards the centre of the continuum, employees are given an opportunity to inform and challenge decisions and their views may be considered and taken into consideration.
- Towards the centre-right of the continuum, employees are actively asked questions and are encouraged to make contributions.
- Towards the right of the continuum, employees are given defined freedom to contribute and make decisions.
Changing styles of leadership
- If there is a state of emergency, managers and leaders may prefer to retain all decision making and authority.
- If managers and leaders require communication to be fast, for example in cases of emergency, like BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill which killed 11 people in 2010, a position on the left of the continuum may be appropriate.
- If employees’ views are valued, managers and leaders may adopt a position on the right of the continuum so that these views can be gathered from employees.
Test yourself on Management Theories
When will democratic leaders switch to an autocratic style of leadership?