Human and Public Relations in Managing Education in Kenya

Abstract

The human dimension in management has been underscored by many authorities including the Human Relations School of thought (as advocated by people such as Fayol, Mayo, Douglas Mcgregor, etc.). Among the crucial resources identified for effective management the primary one is Human Resource. The others such as equipments, physical facilities, funds (money) as well as `time' are secondary to the human factor. The scientific management approach identified its principles based on concepts such as planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and division of labour, specializing and evaluation. The humanistic management approach identified the principles of human relations, decision- making, delegation, communication and problem solving. The Human and Public Relations as a mediator of the two schools of the thought in management emphasizes the importance of the human person, moral and social relationships as well as organizational (contractual) obligations that are displayed in authority and responsibility of each member of the organization. The paper highlights the centrality of the human factor in management. It attempts to bring together the two classical schools of thought focusing on the human (individual) needs, roles and expectations which must be met or satisfied so that the human resource can meet the organizational functions, needs and expectations that are explicitly or implicitly identified as the organizational goals and objectives to be achieved.