Page 53 - Fundamentals of Management Myths Debunked (2017)_Flat

52 Part 1 • Introduction

Quantitative Approach
The quantitative approach, which focuses on the application of statistics, optimi-
zation models, information models, computer simulations, and other quantitative
techniques to management activities, provided tools for managers to make their
jobs easier.

3000 BCE–1776 1911–1947 Late 1700s–1950s • 1940s–1950s 1960s–present
Early Management Classical Approaches Behavioral Approach Quantitative Approach Contemporary Approaches

1940s
The quantitative approach to management—which is the use of
quantitative techniques to improve decision making—evolved from
mathematical and statistical solutions developed for military problems
during World War II. After the war was over, many of these techniques
8
used for military problems were applied to businesses. For instance,
one group of military officers, dubbed the “Whiz Kids,” joined Ford Motor
Company in the mid-1940s and immediately began using statistical
methods to improve decision making at Ford. You’ll find more informa-
tion on these quantitative applications in Chapter 15.

Bert Hardy/Getty Images

1950s
After World War II, Japanese organizations enthusiastically embraced
the concepts espoused by a small group of quality experts, the most
famous being W. Edwards Deming (photo below) and Joseph M. Juran.
As these Japanese manufacturers began beating U.S. competitors in
quality comparisons, Western managers soon took a more serious look
9
at Deming’s and Juran’s ideas. Their ideas became the basis for total
quality management (TQM), which is a management philosophy
devoted to continual improvement and responding to customer needs
and expectations. We’ll look more closely at Deming and his beliefs
about TQM in Chapter 15.

Richard Drew/AP Images