5.4 contingency management
Earlier you learned that the goal of scientific management was to use systematic study to find the 'one best way' everywhere.
The problem, as you may have gathered from reading about the various approaches to management, is that no one in management seems to agree on what that 'one best away' is Furthermore, more than 100 years of management research has shown that there are clear boundaries or limitations to most management theories and practices.
No management ideas or practices are universal.
Though they may work all the time.
But, then, how is a manager to decide what theory to use?
Well, it depends on the situation.
The contingency approach to management precisely states that there are no universal management theories, and that the most effective management theory on idea depends on the kinds of problems or situations that managers or organisations are facing at a particular tome.
In short, the 'best way' depends on the situation.