Herbert Alexander Simon’s General Theory of Administration
Herbert Alexander Simon (1916-2001) was an American scientist and professor of political science at the University of Chicago. He was the recipient of the 1976 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his contribution to the fields of organizational behavior and decision-making processes. He is well known for his pivotal research into our understanding of administrative behavior and how we manage organizations. In response to the study of public administration in the mid-20th century, Simon developed a general theory of administration that has had a lasting impact on the study of public administration.
Herbert Simon’s theory of administration is based on the assumption that organizations are fundamentally composed of people with ambitions and grievances, who must work together to complete tasks and fulfill the organization’s goals. His theory emphasizes the need to properly understand how people within the organization make decisions in response to the situation they are in, and how those decisions are related to the larger aims and objectives of the organization. As a result, Simon contends that administrators must consider both the individual personalities of members within the organization and the organizational goals as a whole.
To understand organizations more effectively, Simon observed the concept of bounded rationality, determining that decision makers are likely to take actions within a given set of constraints, such as time, resources, and the like. He proposed that organizations identify those boundaries and continually refine them to act more efficiently. He further argued that an organization’s success is ultimately determined by its ability to identify and capitalize on these boundaries.
The development of Simon’s general theory of administration has had a lasting impact on the study of public administration. His work has profoundly shaped the way public administrators interact with their constituents and how they go about completing tasks. By acknowledging the need to take into consideration the individual personalities and ambitions of those within the organization, as well as the organizational goals as a whole, Simon’s theory of administration provides public administrators with a foundation upon which to make informed decisions.
Simon’s general theory of administration has been applied to various organizations in a variety of contexts. His principles of bounded rationality provide organizations with the ability to better understand how their decisions affect the outcomes of their work. Additionally, the theory has aided organizations in developing more effective policies and procedures for managing personnel.
Simon’s groundbreaking research into administrative behavior and decision making has been invaluable in developing a sound foundation for the study of public administration. His general theory of administration provides public administrators with a comprehensive toolkit to better understand their constituents’ perspectives and make informed decisions that are in line with the organization’s goals. As a result, his legacy of understanding will continue to shape the field of public administration for years to come.
