Final answer:
The classical viewpoint of management stressed the importance of managing work more efficiently, primarily through scientific management which focused on analyzing and synthesizing workflows to boost labor productivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Classical Viewpoint of Management
The classical viewpoint of management emphasized ways to manage work more efficiently. This approach is closely associated with scientific management, which sought to analyze and synthesize workflows to improve economic efficiency, particularly labor productivity. One of the main goals of scientific management was to increase workers' efficiency, as indicated in option (a) of the review question provided. This was achieved through various means such as time-motion studies, standardizing processes, and incentivizing workers based on performance.
Developed during the industrial revolution, classical management theories were primarily focused on improving business operations and the bottom line. It wasn't concerned with the more modern concepts of management, like building more synergy, including Management by Objectives (MBO), adapting to environmental variations, or increasing diversity, which emerged later as business challenges and the workforce evolved.
Theories such as Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y describe contrasting management styles that stemmed from assumptions about worker motivation and behavior. While Theory X aligned more with the classical approach, emphasizing control and directive methods, Theory Y leaned towards a more modern, humanistic approach, suggesting that workers are self-motivated and thrive when given more freedom and responsibility.