Reevaluating Classical Management Approaches in Global Organizations: Relevance and Integration

Abstract

This article investigates the continuing relevance and contextual application of classical management theories—scientific management, administrative theory, and bureaucracy—in contemporary international organizations. Amid global shifts in technology, workforce structure, and cultural dynamics, the foundational models of Taylor, Fayol, and Weber offer both stability and limitations. This study utilizes qualitative document analysis to examine how organizations across sectors and regions interpret, adapt, and integrate classical principles with modern frameworks such as agility, contingency theory, and transformational leadership. Findings show that while rigid applications of classical models may constrain innovation and responsiveness, their selective integration enhances clarity, accountability, and efficiency. The research identifies a trend toward hybrid management systems that combine the structural advantages of classical theory with the flexibility of modern approaches. By reassessing classical thought through a global and empirical lens, this article contributes to theory and practice: it redefines the applicability of historical models and offers a pathway for designing context-sensitive, high-performing systems. The study concludes by advocating balanced integration strategies aligned with cultural, technological, and institutional demands of the 21st century.