Concept of management
Management is the art of
getting things done through others in systematic and effective manner.
Management is the process of
getting things done through others with the help of some basic activities like planning,
organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating and controlling.
The management work is
divided into a few basic functions of management, viz:
(1) Planning,
(2) Organising,
(3) Staffing
(4) Directing,
(5) Controlling.
Planning is
the determination of objectives and formulation of plans, strategies,
programmes, policies, procedures and standards needed to achieve the desired
organisation objectives. To implement the plans there must be some organization
structure.
The human and material resources or
inputs are allocated to the various units and relationships are established
among the sub-units. Organizing is
the second function of a manager. Organizing
is the process of developing a structure among people, function, and physical
facilities to execute the plans and achieve stated objectives.
Staffing
refers to the continuous process of finding, selecting, evaluating and
developing a working relationship with current and future employees. The main
goal of staffing is to fill the various toles within the company with
suitable candidates.
The fourth function of a manager is that
of directing stimulating and
motivating people in the organization to undertake willingly the desired
actions as per predetermined plans and objectives. Motivation is an integral
part of direction to assure desired results.
The fifth and final function of
management is that of controlling to
assure directed action as per plans and objectives. Controlling incorporates the establishment of standards,
measurements and comparison of actual results against the standard and
necessary corrective action to remove deviations from the plan.
Experts agree that
management is a distinct type of activity primarily responsible to get things
done through other people, and it is different from all other types of human
activities. Similarly, they also agree that all managerial functions are
universal and all managers in any field of human efforts perform those typical
managerial functions irrespective of what they are managing.
Levels
of Management
The levels of management can be
classified in three broad categories:
1. Top Level of Management
It
consists of board of directors, chief executive or managing director. The top
management is the ultimate source of authority and it manages goals and
policies for an enterprise. It devotes more time on planning and coordinating
functions.
The
role of the top management can be summarized as follows -
a.
Top
management lays down the objectives and broad policies of the enterprise.
b.
It issues
necessary instructions for preparation of department budgets, procedures,
schedules etc.
c.
It
prepares strategic plans & policies for the enterprise.
d.
It
appoints the executive for middle level i.e., departmental managers.
e.
It
controls & coordinates the activities of all the departments.
f.
It is also
responsible for maintaining a contact with the outside world.
g.
It
provides guidance and direction.
h.
The top
management is also responsible towards the shareholders for the performance of
the enterprise.
2. Middle Level of Management
The
branch managers and departmental managers constitute middle level. They are
responsible to the top management for the functioning of their department. They
devote more time to organizational and directional functions. In small
organization, there is only one layer of middle level of management but in big
enterprises, there may be senior and junior middle level management.
Their
role can be emphasized as -
a.
They execute the plans of the organization in accordance with the policies and
directives of the top management.
b.
They make plans for the sub-units of the organization.
c.
They participate in employment & training of lower-level management.
d.
They interpret and explain policies from top level management to lower level.
e.
They are responsible for coordinating the activities within the division or
department.
f.
It also sends important reports and other important data to top level
management.
g.
They evaluate performance of junior managers.
h.
They are also responsible for inspiring lower-level managers towards better
performance.
3. Lower Level of Management
Lower
level is also known as supervisory / operative level of management. It consists
of supervisors, foreman, section officers, superintendent etc. According
to R.C. Davis, “Supervisory management refers to those executives
whose work has to be largely with personal oversight and direction of operative
employees”. In other words, they are concerned with direction and controlling
function of management.
Their
activities include
a.
Assigning of jobs and tasks to various workers.
b.
They guide and instruct workers for day-to-day activities.
c.
They are responsible for the quality as well as quantity of production.
d.
They are also entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining good relation in
the organization.
e.
They communicate workers problems, suggestions, and recommendatory appeals etc
to the higher level and higher-level goals and objectives to the workers.
f.
They help to solve the grievances of the workers.
g.
They supervise & guide the sub-ordinates.
h.
They are responsible for providing training to the workers.
i.
They arrange necessary materials, machines, tools etc for getting the things
done.
j.
They prepare periodical reports about the performance of the workers.
k.
They ensure discipline in the enterprise.
l.
They motivate workers.
m.
They are the image builders of the enterprise because they are in direct
contact with the workers.
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