AGUSTÍN REYES PONCE: BIOGRAPHY AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION - DUDAS - 2024

Agustín Reyes Ponce (1916 - 1988) was one of the most important management theorists in Mexico and all of Latin America. In addition, he was one of the pioneers in this field and his work influenced the administrative organization, public and private, of the surrounding countries.

In addition to his research work, he is highly recognized in the educational field. He was a teacher in several universities, especially in the Ibero-American one. In this university he was one of the creators of several degrees and of the School of Industrial Relations.

Reyes Ponce traveled to many parts of the world, always collecting data to complete his research on the best way to optimize administration. This improvement is not conceived only for administrators, but also for the administered and for the workers.

Considered the most important business consultant in Latin America, Reyes Ponce never stopped working. Shortly before his death he continued giving lectures and courses.

He received many awards in life and, years after his death, the Consortium of Mexican Universities established the "Agustín Reyes Ponce National Chair."

Biography of Agustín Reyes Ponce

Early years

Julio Agustín Miguel Reyes Ponce, the scholar's full name, was born on April 19 in Puebla, Mexico, into a family descended from Ponce de León. He was orphaned when he was very young and spent his childhood in the town of Atlixco.

His colleagues of the time emphasize that he was always interested in reading and culture. At just 3 years old, I was already reading authors like Jules Verne.

Reyes Ponce was also a lover of classical music and had a great facility for languages. At 18 he helped his fellow students by giving them literature classes.

Studies

Reyes Ponce graduated in Law from the University of Puebla in 1943, receiving an honorable mention. While he was training in this field, he also took the opportunity to acquire knowledge in anthropology and philosophy.

Before moving to Mexico City, in 1948 he had helped found the Social Security Center of Puebla.

Already in the capital he obtained positions as the representative before the Central Board of Conciliation and Arbitration, and was founding head of Technical Services in the Employers' Confederation of the Republic of Mexico.

Teaching career

Apart from his research work, his other passion was teaching. He began working in this field at the Ibero-American University, where he founded and directed the School of Industrial Relations. He also served as technical director of the Department of Economic-Administrative Sciences.

Always teaching classes on administration, he passed through institutions such as the Autonomous University of Mexico, the Autonomous University of Puebla or the Technological Institute of Higher Studies of Monterrey, in addition to the aforementioned Ibero-American University.

Research activity

Without a doubt, the main recognition comes to him for his research and publications on the administration. In order to write his books on this subject, he did a complete previous documentation work, traveling around the world observing and collecting data on this field.

Among his main motivations was the intention to balance the factors of production. He never forgot the working conditions of the workers; in fact, their jobs were central to some of the labor reforms in Mexico and the establishment of a minimum wage.

His influence was not limited to his country of birth, as he was also recognized in the rest of Latin America. In addition to theorizing, he was one of the most important business consultants in the region.

I work in this position for companies such as Mexican Airlines, Bacardi, National Bank of Mexico, Nestlé and the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of the United Mexican States, among others.

Death

After a lifetime of work, Agustín Reyes Ponce died in Mexico City on October 22, 1988. Until shortly before his death, he had been giving lectures and courses on how the administration should be organized to be effective.

His career was worthy of many awards and recognitions, such as the Juan de Dios Legorreta medal from the Legion of Honor of Mexico, awarded by the National Institute of Economic Resources Development Professionals; and his appointment as Doctor Honoris Causa by several universities.

The administration according to Reyes Ponce

The works on the administration of Reyes Ponce made him the most important theorist on this subject in all of Latin America. Its definition of what the administration is has become a fundamental reference for all organizations, public or private.

According to the researcher, administration "is a systematized set of rules to achieve maximum efficiency in the ways of structuring and operating a social organism."

That said, he takes a step forward and concludes that "modern management is focusing on new and current reviews that help humanistic society."

By approaching the administration in this way, you are not only trying to make it more efficient in its internal workings, but you also affirm that you must look for how to favor the whole of society.

Administration characteristics according to Reyes Ponce

-Universality

The administration is typical of every social organism, since to function correctly, it needs a coordination of its means. Regardless of the scope of this social organization, its administrative system will always have common elements.

-Specificity

The administrative phenomenon is independent of others, such as economic or legal.

-Temporary unit

It is true that any administration goes through different phases, but overall, all the elements that characterize it will always be present.

-Hierarchical unit

Although there is a hierarchy within any organization, all positions are part of the same administration: from the boss to the last secretary.

Main contributions

In his books, Reyes Ponce offers a system to improve the efficiency of any administration, whatever the field to which it belongs. To facilitate this evolution, it divides the processes into two parts: a mechanical and a dynamic stage.

Mechanical stage

At this stage the author includes aspects such as forecasting, planning and organization.

-Forecast

It is the moment in which a plan based on technical investigations is elaborated to be able to achieve the objectives that are desired. He sums it up in the question "what can I do?"

This phase is subdivided into three others: the definition phase, the research phase and the search for an alternative.

-Planning

In this stage the actions to be carried out are set. All the necessary process is planned, delimiting the times that are calculated to achieve the objectives, as well as the budget. The question to answer would be "what am I going to do?"

-Organization

At this point in the process, it is time to answer the question "How am I going to do it?" It is time to organize all the elements, from humans to materials, to get the most out of it.

Dynamic stage

This stage is comprised of three different elements: integration of resources, direction, and control.

-Integration of resources

Pay special attention to human resources. It is necessary to hire and train the workers that are considered necessary to achieve the desired objective.

Continuing with the summaries in question form, the corresponding question is "Who am I going to do it with?"

-Address

It defines it as the part of the administration that makes decisions, although it is also frequent that it delegates part of that responsibility. It is also in charge of controlling that these decisions are carried out.

It would answer the question "is it being done?" To be effective you must communicate correctly and lead reasonably, not just because of the authority you have.

-Control

At this stage, systems are established to measure whether everything is working correctly and, if applicable, correct possible errors or imbalances. The question to be answered is "what was done?"

References

1. Ayala José, Marisol. Summary of the Book "The business administrator, what does he do?" scored by Agustín Reyes Ponce when we have the information. Obtained fromempices.co
2. History of cbt. Agustín Reyes Ponce. Obtained from profesordoroteo.webcindario.com
3. Cruz, Armando. Agustin Reyes Ponce Business Administration. Recovered from es.calameo.com
4. Sánchez Macías, Armando. Administration or Management: A Term Dilemma. Recovered from ijsk.org
5. Wikidata. Agustín Reyes Ponce. Retrieved from wikidata.org
6. Camp, Roderic Ai. Intellectuals and the State in Twentieth-Century Mexico, Recovered from books.google.es