We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Management Theory

Save

Management theory is the study of how organizations are structured and managed. It seeks to understand how managers can effectively lead and motivate their teams to achieve organizational goals. Management theory can be applied to a wide range of organizations, from small businesses to large corporations, and in both the public and private sectors.

Why Study Management Theory?

There are many reasons why someone might want to study management theory. Some people study it out of curiosity, while others study it to meet academic requirements. Still others study it to use it to develop their career and professional ambitions.

Management theory can be beneficial for people in a variety of roles. For example, it can be helpful for:

  • Managers who want to improve their leadership skills
  • Employees who want to understand how their organization works
  • Entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses
  • Students who are interested in pursuing a career in business

Management theory can also be beneficial for people who are not directly involved in management. For example, it can be helpful for:

  • Individuals who want to understand how to work effectively in a team
  • People who want to improve their communication skills
  • Individuals who want to learn how to solve problems
Read more

Management theory is the study of how organizations are structured and managed. It seeks to understand how managers can effectively lead and motivate their teams to achieve organizational goals. Management theory can be applied to a wide range of organizations, from small businesses to large corporations, and in both the public and private sectors.

Why Study Management Theory?

There are many reasons why someone might want to study management theory. Some people study it out of curiosity, while others study it to meet academic requirements. Still others study it to use it to develop their career and professional ambitions.

Management theory can be beneficial for people in a variety of roles. For example, it can be helpful for:

  • Managers who want to improve their leadership skills
  • Employees who want to understand how their organization works
  • Entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses
  • Students who are interested in pursuing a career in business

Management theory can also be beneficial for people who are not directly involved in management. For example, it can be helpful for:

  • Individuals who want to understand how to work effectively in a team
  • People who want to improve their communication skills
  • Individuals who want to learn how to solve problems

What You Will Learn in a Management Theory Course

There are many different management theory courses available, and the specific content of each course will vary. However, in general, management theory courses will cover topics such as:

  • The history of management theory
  • The different schools of management thought
  • The principles of management
  • The functions of management
  • The challenges of management

In addition to these core topics, management theory courses may also cover specialized topics such as:

  • Human resource management
  • Organizational behavior
  • Strategic management
  • Operations management
  • Marketing management

Management theory courses are typically taught using a combination of lectures, readings, and case studies. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and may also be required to complete assignments such as essays, presentations, and research projects.

Online Courses in Management Theory

There are many different online courses available that can help you learn about management theory. These courses are offered by a variety of institutions, including universities, colleges, and online learning platforms. Online courses in management theory can be a great option for people who are busy or who want to learn at their own pace.

Online courses in management theory typically cover the same topics as traditional courses. However, online courses may be more flexible and offer more opportunities for interaction with other students. Online courses may also include features such as:

  • Lecture videos
  • Projects
  • Assignments
  • Quizzes
  • Exams
  • Discussions
  • Interactive labs

These features can help learners engage with the material and develop a more comprehensive understanding of management theory.

Are Online Courses Enough?

Online courses can be a helpful learning tool, but they are not a substitute for real-world experience. In order to fully understand management theory, it is important to apply it in a practical setting. This can be done through internships, apprenticeships, or other forms of on-the-job training.

Online courses can be a great way to get started with management theory. They can provide you with the foundation you need to succeed in a management role. However, if you want to become a truly effective manager, you will need to supplement your online learning with practical experience.

Path to Management Theory

Take the first step.
We've curated two courses to help you on your path to Management Theory. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Share

Help others find this page about Management Theory: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Management Theory.
This comprehensive textbook provides a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of management, covering topics such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
This widely used textbook offers a contemporary and research-based perspective on management, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving.
This classic work explores the relationship between organizational structure and organizational effectiveness, providing insights into how organizations can design themselves for success.
This groundbreaking book identifies the common characteristics of successful organizations, emphasizing the importance of customer focus, innovation, and employee empowerment.
This best-selling book explores the factors that distinguish great companies from good companies, highlighting the importance of visionary leadership, disciplined thought, and a culture of innovation.
This Spanish-language textbook offers a comprehensive introduction to business administration, covering the fundamental principles of management, marketing, finance, and operations.
This Japanese-language textbook offers a comprehensive overview of management theory and practice, covering topics such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
This Russian-language textbook provides a comprehensive overview of management theory, covering the fundamental principles of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
This Portuguese-language textbook provides a comprehensive overview of business management, covering the fundamental principles of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser