Making the most of management theory of Rensis Likert can help you take your business to the next level by improving employee productivity. Rensis Likert was born in 1903 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He earned his B.A. in Sociology from the University of Michigan in 1926, which is where he laid the groundwork for his organizational management research.

As founder of the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, Rensis Likert committed countless hours on researching the organizational management styles of some of the world’s leading corporations. This research served as the foundation for his development of two popular management theories: the Likert scales and the Likert linking pin model. Consider the following tips on making the most of management theory of Rensis Likert.

1. Evaluate your workplace using the Rensis Likert scale theory.

2. Apply Likert theory principles to create workplace cohesion.

3. Improve employee performance using the Rensis Likert management theory.

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Use the Rensis Likert scale to assess employee satisfaction

The Likert scale is the most widely known Rensis Likert theory. This Likert participative management technique uses a five-point survey scale to measure attitudes. This technique asks participants to share their agreement and disagreement with a set of pre-selected questions/comments. Because responses were assigned a numerical value, it was easy for employers to calculate agreement versus disagreement and use the data to improve or alter processes, policies and other organizational tasks.

I recommend: Read more about Likert management styles by visiting BNET. You can also check out the StrategyVectorModel.com to gain further knowledge about the Likert participative management theory and the Likert scale including samples of questions used in the five-point scale and more in-depth explanations on it works.

Evaluate how the Likert theory can improve organizational management

In addition to the scales technique, Rensis Likert also developed the linking pin model. This model was based on the premise that you can view a business as various overlapping units in which employees working in one unit are essentially leaders of another unit. Likerts management system suggested that it's the role of the manager or unit leader to not only maintain workplace cohesion, but also to create a sense of belonging within his or her unit and represent the unit in meetings with superior or equal management staff in other departments. This system creates an organizational unity that ensures every unit or department is aware of working in tandem with the other.

I recommend: Gain further knowledge about the Likert theory by visiting the MBA Tricks website. Check out BlacksAcademy.net to learn more about making the most of Likert management styles.

Use the Rensis Likert leadership theory to improve workplace productivity

The basic principle of the Likert theory was that more job supervision equated to less productive employees. Therefore, according to the Rensis Likert theory, employees who were given more ownership of their job responsibilities were more productive than those who were micromanaged. Improvement of workplace productivity translated into improved business performance, which could be the basis for providing better service to customers. Therefore, by making the most of management theory of Rensis Likert, your business can become more productive while keeping your employees and customers happier.

I recommend: Check out Accel-Team to further understand how to make the most of the Likerts management system. You can also learn more about the Likert system by visiting LearnManagement2.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's a good idea to conduct some research on the countless journals, manuals and books written about the Likert theory to help you better assess how to best apply the management theories to your specific business operations.

The management theory of Rensis Likert brought a new dimension to organizational development theory. The Likert system made it possible to quantify the results of all the work various theorists had been doing with group dynamics. Likert theory also facilitated the measurement of the "soft" areas of management, such as trust and communication.

Additionally, Likert delineated the characteristics of high- and low-producing organizations and identified the problems with traditional organizational structures. Rensis Likert recognized four management styles, or systems.

1. Exploitative-authoritative: The first system of Rensis Likert theory is characterized by decision-making in the upper echelons of the organization, with no teamwork and little communication other than threats.

2. Benevolent-authoritative: This Likert system is based on a master-servant relationship between management and employees, where rewards are the sole motivators and both teamwork and communication are minimal.

3. Consultative: In this style, managers partly trust subordinates, use both rewards and involvement to inspire motivation, foster a higher level of responsibility for meeting goals, and inspire a moderate amount of teamwork and some communication.

4. Participative-group: This system is based on managerial trust and confidence in employees; collectively determined, goal-based rewards; a collective sense of responsibility for meeting company objectives; collaborative teamwork and open communication.

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Acquire some background information on Rensis Likert management theory

Numerous websites provide valuable information about Likert theory. In addition to tables and summaries of Rensis Likert principles, you'll find various videos and instructional materials that can help you develop the background knowledge and practical expertise to put Likert's management system to work for your company.

I recommend: Organizational Development Portal provides "A Fast Learner's Guide to Leadership," which includes a table explaining Likert's Four Systems of Management. Mountain View College offers four videos which present interviews in which Rensis Likert discusses the System 4 style of management, which he considers the most effective. (Video four is particularly informative.)

Seek guidance to fit Rensis Likert theory into your program

Consultants with knowledge and experience in the management theory of Rensis Likert can guide you in maximizing the benefit of his principles in your own company's unique environment.

I recommend: The Mercer Group, Inc., offers consulting services based, in part, on work the company's president/CEO did with Rensis Likert. The Edelstein Group offers executive consulting services performed by a cadre of management experts, a few of whom were previously affiliated with Rensis Likert's own consulting firm, Rensis Likert & Associates.

Locate resources that will help you make the most of Likert theory

Widely available online tools and resources can help you more easily implement Likert system principles. Surveys, PowerPoint presentations and other products that develop management skills which play key roles in Likert participative management theory let you choose the resources most valuable to your business.

I recommend: Virginia Commonwealth University provides a list of Likert's Characteristics of an Effective Work Group, which can help you form such groups or assess your current groups and thereby put Rensis Likert's participative management theory to work in your own company. The Mercer Group offers, in addition to its consulting services, organizational climate surveys, which can help improve your company's organizational development. A Powerpoint presentation, called "Reflections on Leadership," is available on authorSTREAM. The presentation offers principles that can help you and your managers develop the traits that will facilitate Likert's System 4 management style.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Never underestimate the value of Likert's theory of management for your company. If your budget is small, take advantage of free information and tools available online and consider advancing to paid products, training or consulting services when they become more affordable to you.

Management theory of Rensis Likert education and training offers essential workplace tools to broaden organizational skills. Rensis Likert developed a foundational management model that teaches the four different types of relationships between leadership and subordinates in the workplace, which are exploitative, benevolent, consultative and participative. Another widespread type of organizational tool attributed to Likert theory, is the 5-point assessment scale used to gage employee satisfaction.

Educational programs can provide the fundamental steps to apply Likert's management systems in the organizational setting. However, it’s best to decide on a specific course of action to learn about core concepts in Likert's management system. Management professionals who seek to tackle the challenges of the workforce often benefit immediately from studying Rensis Likert management theory. Consider Likert management styles to address organizational challenges faced by many business leaders. Take into account the following:

1. Study an introduction to the fundamentals of the Likert system.

2. Locate training materials and resources on participative management theory.

3. Employ Rensis Likert theory to handle organizational obstacles to employee training.

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Learn the different management theories developed by Rensis Likert

Rensis Likert was an organizational psychologist that changed the practices in many businesses. Learn the four different management types developed by Rensis Likert, the Likert scale and participative management theory.

I recommend: Accel-team provides an overview of Rensis Likert management types and additional resources for organizational management. Learn Management2 provides Likert's management styles along with other influential figures important to management theory.

Examine training resources on Likert participative management

Participative management theory explores the principles that encourage employee participation in the decision making process, increases in productivity levels and overall job satisfaction. There are educational materials available online that provides information taught in management schools for those who may not be able to attend a traditional program.

I recommend: Vector Study is a free management and marketing portal with training resources for business professionals including other major management topics and theorists. AccessMyLibrary offers information about Likert participative management methods, links to other online tools and training resources.

Review organizational examples of Likert's management system

View how different businesses model Likert participative management in its daily operations. Study information about Likert participative management theory in a wide variety of industries. The Likert system makes it simple to use in a broad range of organizations.

I recommend: HR.com offers information to management professionals and webcasts using information from Likert's management system. Symphony Orchestra Institute applies participative group system developed by Likert to address change in the workplace.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many textbooks cover Rensis Likert's groundbreaking management research, which occurred in the 1960s. There maybe some difficulty in accessing online training materials that focus solely on his work due to more recent management theory methods available.

Rensis Likert believed the roles and relationships between management staff and employees had a lot to do with how successful a business became. Likert believed in degrees rather than absolutes. He also believed that answers to questions could vary by degrees. He felt that management styles could vary depending on the manager, the employees and the overall work environment.

The purpose of this article is to help you better understand the elements of Rensis Likert's management theories so that, if you choose, you will be able to implement them in your own business or school.

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Likert Scale

The Likert Scale, also known as the Summative Scale, is a psychometric scale often used in surveys or questionnaires for feedback. With a Likert Scale option, you choose how you most closely agree with the statement presented, with the choices typically being: strongly disagree, disagree, neither agree or disagree, agree and strongly agree.

I recommend: The Research Methods Knowledge Base provides more details about Likert Scaling.

Exploitive authoritative system

An exploitive authoritative system is one of four management systems that Likert theorized on. This system relies on management making all of the decisions, delegating tasks and no teamwork. Employees perform the tasks up to par, by specified requirements and standards, or face the consequences.

I recommend: Visit Accel-Team for more information on Likert's management systems.

Benevolent authoritative system

Much like the exploitive system, the benevolent authoritative system has management controlling everything. However, the difference is that employees find motivation through rewards for a job well done, rather than the fear of performing below management standards.

I recommend: Access Absolute Astronomy for more details on these management systems.

Consultative system

The consultative system is just that: Management may consult with staff for ideas and suggestions, but ultimately still make all of the decisions based upon their own positions on the matter. Employees have a right to speak, but what they have to say may very well fall on deaf ears.

I recommend: Read more about Likert's management systems on Learn Management2.

Participative group system

A participative group system relies upon teamwork between management and employees. Managers have every confidence in employees' abilities and give them a bit of freedom in decision making.

I recommend: The Organizational Development Portal provides a different way to examine and interpret Likert's management systems, based upon levels of trust.

Linking pin model

Likert believed that organizations consist of several different working groups and that individuals may be in several different groups at once, thus linking these groups together. Likert calls these employees 'linking pins' that hold an organization together.

I recommend: Access Vector Study for more details on the linking pin model.