Classical Approaches Of Communication

In Katherine Miller’s textbook “Organizational Communication Approaches and Processes” she discusses the classical approaches of communication and three main theories that have come of it. Henri Fayol’s theory on classical management, Max Weber’s theory on bureaucracy with its label of the “ideal type,” and finally Frederick Taylor’s scientific management approach. Each of these theories have played a role in developing the concept of organization culture and communication.

Fayol’s theory is based on how management chooses to interact with personnel and how an organization runs in its entirety. There are six main principles that go into how Fayol thinks organizations should be structured. They are scalar chain, unity of command, unity of direction, division of labor, order, and span of control. These can all be summarized simply by explaining what employees jobs entitle and their specific relationship in the organization. Fayol then decides three main subcategories. The next concept that Fayol goes through is organizational power, there are three different type of relationships and they are as follows: centralization, authority and responsibility, and finally discipline. This is the specific relationships between all managers and how power share works. Next is organizational reward which mainly deals with how employees are encouraged to work between management and employees. There are three different types of rewards which are remuneration of personnel, equity, and tenure