HRM / OB Case Study

Peter F. Drucker: Business Management and Beyond

OR

Abstract:
This case is written to trigger a discussion on how in the contemporary and dynamic business world, applying even well-known and proven management theories may prove to be a daunting task. It is meant for discussing the different approaches to management in the Organisational Behaviour course. This case study is intended to serve as an introduction to Peter F. Drucker’s (Drucker) management philosophy and his views on contemporary and emerging societies. Renowned worldwide as the ‘father of modern management’, Drucker served as the source of inspiration for many management practitioners, entrepreneurs and academicians. It was his comprehensive and in-depth understanding of management that made many CEOs (of Fortune 500 companies) believe – ‘when in doubt, consult Drucker’. The case attempts to cover Drucker’s seminal thoughts on various management dimensions and their relevance for modern day managers. However, in the dynamic corporate scenario, will managers be able to apply these philosophies and principles? Will Drucker’s concepts continue to serve the modern day managers or are they just a passing fad?

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To analyse the progress of different approaches to management and their impact on organisational behaviour
• To analyse the contributions of Drucker to the field of management
• To debate on the feasibility of the various management principles in the contemporary business world.

Keywords : Peter Ferdinand Drucker's philosophy, Management by objectives, Theory and practice of management, Management thinkers, Fundamental assumptions, Business management, Core competence, HRM Case Study, Information based organisation, Evolution of management, Management balanced score cards, Management fads, Knowledge society, Taylor, Gilbreths, Gantt, Weber, Fayol, Mayo, Maslow, McGregor, Skinner, Lewin, Likert, Argyris, Organizational Behavior, OB, Organizational Behavior case study, Motivation Case Study, MBA, MBA Program, Course Mapping