Hello guys.
Hope your prep is going good. Many have been asking about linkages and how to use thinkers in answer. I am attempting to address your query here. [ Join this TG group, here I share strategy and materials related with Pub Ad mostly, apart from some GS guidelines: http://t.me/iwrapinkmanww ]
The most important part of pub ad syllabus is Administrative thinkers & Administrative behaviour in my opinion. So, ensure that all key ideas of every single thinker is on your finger tips. whatever sources you are referring to cover thinkers: be it Aribam, P&P or your classroom coaching notes, ensure that you summarise all thinkers in 4-5 key ideas and be ready to use in your answers. .
Again, first have a broad understanding of thinkers classification: from classical to human relations, behavioural and modern thinkers, what do they focus upon etc.
Just to elaborate, classical thinkers focus on 2M (Machine and Method) but it is human relations and behavioural thinkers who brought focus on 3rd M–that is Man aspect in organisation. This can be represented through a triangle in answers: Machine and method at base, Man at top. In sides, mention important thinkers. For example: Taylor, Fayol, Urwick, Gullic, Weber will come at base while Mayo, Follet, Likert, Chris Argyris, Barnard, Simon, Maslow, McGregor will come at top (they focus not only on machine and methodology but also quite a lot on man in the organisation).
Now with respect to individual thinkers prepare central ideas and keep thinking examples from Indian administration and other contemporary areas (modern corporate practices, factory working etc).
For example:
F.W.Taylor: His scientific management theory talks about differential piece rate system. You can link it with overnight duties done in few factories where employees are paid more than the normal day rate for night duty which extends beyond their day duty. Time and motion study can be linked to Red Tapism and Indian government’s recent focus on curbing same. By target based monitoring with timelines we are tackling the problems of Red Tapism. Thus digitalisation of process is field level implementation of time and motion study. The legal enforcement of same comes from citizen charters and right to service legislation. This is the applied part of Taylor’s work.
Let’s take another thinker: Chris Argyris. When it comes to Chris Argyris, his central work should come to your mind. His concept of incongruency between employees need and organisation demand, maturity-immaturity theory, fusion process, T-group etc should be on your fingertips. Let’s see some descriptives, linkages and applied part.
In the descriptives, simply write the incongruency, maturity-immaturity theory and fusion process theory in your own words. You don’t have to use the language of P&P or MB or Aribam (though Aribam has most simple expression). Use your own words and substantiate with examples. This is what I call “descriptives” of a thinker ideas ..extending it in your own word. For example, I would write that: Argryris has highlighted that there is basic incongruency b/w employees and organisation. Both want different things. Organisation demands that employees should work hard to achieve its goals, however employees feel that their needs are not being fulfilled. For example: An employee would like to work on new skill but organisation would not allow that and rather want the employee to focus on an old project. This incogruency leads to dissatisfaction, low morale and ultimately poor productivity. As a solution, Argyris has suggested Fusion process where the needs of employee is fitted with organisation demands. This is where the role of manager becomes crucial also. Based on the new projects that company is taking few employees who have interest in these areas can be given responsibility to look into it. In many companies the HR follows talent rotation across various verticals to ensure emolyees skills are developed and they don’t feel stagnated. This is one example how fusion can work. The supervisor/manager has a big role in ensuring that fusion process is implemented effectively.
What I have written above is not to be found in any book. It is my own language.
So, try to write central ideas of thinkers in your own languages and link it with various examples.