In any organization, the focus is based on yielding high profits. The key to this lies in the leader, who in turn inspires the staff. Leadership in an organization is usually classified into different categories based on the style the leader uses. Different leadership styles are used to attain desired goals, but the secret to an organization that is effective in achieving its goals lies in the use of transformational leadership. A leader usually uses power and influence to exercise authority. In transformational leadership, however, the idea is to emphasize influence to manage the teams and bring them aboard to understand the leader’s vision. Transformational leadership can be defined as implementing new ideas through adopting a more flexible and universal method of influencing and continually ameliorating those around them. This type of leadership calls for the leader and the staff to improve one another’s motivation levels. Motivational leaders bravely work towards making Continue reading
Management Principles
Benefits and Drawbacks of Scientific Management Theory
Management has changed from traditional methods to more modern forms of leadership. The change has been brought by the need to change and to try to make the organizations work better. Different approaches to organizational design can affect the company’s work differently, so the management style should be chosen individually for each case, depending on the organization’s goals. One of the options is scientific management, based on applying scientific theories and principles to design work in organizations. Since the early 20th century, scientific management has been at the forefront of organizational design. The design development was spearheaded by Frederick W. Taylor, who aimed to boost workplace productivity using scientific techniques. Scientific management has substantially influenced work design in contemporary companies, with its virtues and flaws under everyday discussion. The prediction of scientific management is based on the notion that efficiency in the workplace may be increased via scientific methodologies and Continue reading
SMART Goal Setting: Definition and Components
In the pursuit of personal and professional success, individuals often set goals to guide their efforts. However, not all goals are created equal. The concept of SMART goals, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, offers a structured approach to goal setting that enhances the likelihood of success. Originating from the business management domain, the SMART framework has been adopted across various fields, including education, healthcare, and personal development. By promoting clarity and accountability, SMART goals enable individuals and organizations to systematically track progress and make necessary adjustments. SMART goal-setting was first introduced by Dr. Edwin Locke in the 1960s. According to Locke, setting goals that fit into the SMART criteria provided motivation and empowerment to people, which was crucial to ensure that the goals are achieved. Today, SMART criteria are applied to the goal-setting process in many organizations, regardless of their size and area of business. The Continue reading
The Impact of Technological Developments on Remote Working
Remote working is a form of arrangement where the employee does not have to commute to the workplace. The rise and success of remote working have been facilitated by technological development. Technological advancements offer the ability to get work done despite the worker’s location and enable communication with coworkers and clients. These forms of technology include local area networks, collaborative software, conference calling, internet access, private visual networks cloud computing, video telephony and Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) technologies. Teleworking has been assisted by the technology involved in telecommunication, such as smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, landline telephones and desktop computers. There have also been developments of software that have come in handy to facilitate remote working, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx, Stack, WhatsApp and Google Meet. The history of remote working is traced back to the 1970s when Jack Nilles developed the name telework or telecommuting. Technology was Continue reading
Three Perspectives on Organizational Change
Organizational change is best achieved by setting a clear objective, carefully planning all necessary tasks, and following a detailed plan. The above statement is very true given the fact that failure to articulately effect change in organizations has led to unnecessary internal and external conflicts that breed business failure. Competition has gone global and the market and industry dynamics have necessitated the need for companies to make concerted efforts streamlined towards ensuring that high-quality goods and services are offered in the market at competitive prices. This has resulted in the adoption and implementation of several tools and strategies in change management geared towards the attainment of the aforementioned goals. A good example is the discovery of the internet that has enabled faster communication and easier access to knowledge. In addition to the above, globalization is tearing down traditional approaches to management. It is no wonder relentless change has become a Continue reading
Fordism – Meaning, Concept, Contributions, and Critiques
Economists and philosophers have developed many theories that explain how organizations are managed and how they function. Managers look upon these theories when they are managing the organization. The theories have impacts on the organization in which they are applied. The impacts could either be positive or negative depending on how it is applied and the form and nature of organization in which it is applied. In fact, each theory has its strengths as well as shortcomings. It is, therefore, the duty of the managers to choose the theory that best fits their organization and that which contributes to organizational success. Among the theorists who have contributed to the theories that have had significant impacts on organizations is Henry Ford. Henry Ford is one of the most celebrated industrialists of all times. He is the one who founded the famous motor company known as Ford Motor Company, named after him. Continue reading