Management has been as old as the human beings and with the evolvement of humans management has also evolved. The history of management and its theories can be traced back to thousands of years. However, systematic development of the theories of management is generally viewed from the end of nineteenth century with the emergence of large industrial organizations and the ensuing problems associated with their structure and management. This is the time when work of various writers on the management has started to come into the light. These works can be clubbed together to form different approaches to the theory of management. Two of the most popular and widely accepted approaches to management are: Classical Approach to Management, and Behavioral Approach or Human Relation Approach to Management In order to be able to compare and understand the contrast of these two approaches to management, let’s understand the basics of these Continue reading
Management Basics
12 Principles of Organization Structure
Traditional organisation theorists developed certain principles of organization structure. These principles are intended for universal application to all enterprises. The most important of these principles of organization structure can be listed under the following heads: 1. Division of Labor or Specialization The classicists viewed specialization as the basis of efficiency. A group of individuals can secure better results by having division of work. F.W. taylor applied by breaking down jobs into single repetitive tasks performed on specialized tools. At higher levels, however, grouping jobs into manageable units and their co-ordination can pose serious problems. The principle of specializations has been challenged by the behaviorists and others. Fatigue, monotony and boredom are the inevitable outcomes of division of labor. While specializations cause great function interdependency among operatives, it also depersonalizes their activities so that individuals find little meaning in the work. Moreover, functional interdependency among work activities causes strains and tensions. Continue reading
Geographical Organizational Structure
Geographical organizational structure involves grouping of the activities according to regional or geographical locations. The territorial divisions become a complete administrative unit to cater to the need of the localities. The Regional Manager will practically be the chief controller of his region. He is given full powers of managing his own region or zone. His office functions as a head office for all practical purposes. The functions pertaining to finance, marketing, personnel and production development of low-level employees are completely vested in the zonal office which has separate departments of these functions to guide and control the respective activities of the zone. The zonal office may have several divisional offices for executive functions. The area population and size of business in a zone will decide the number of divisional offices, their functional activities, and amount of authority and responsibility to be vested in the divisional managers. Continue reading
Management and Social Responsibility
There are many thinkers who have supported this, but there are others who have expressed their opinion both sides are given as under: Arguments for social responsibility: Manager should have social responsibility for the people. Because manager is a person who is very skilled, if he will take interest in the social functions or problem, it will create a good impression on other people living or working under him it will motivate the sub-ordinates working under him. Thus, it creates a favorable impression on the society, which will ultimately helps the business. Managers have a creative and also communicative skill. As their main task is to have the cordial relations with people inside the organization or outside the organization. The had to interact with his subordinates, superiors and other members relating to business. So, the managers are very creative and if they will take part in social problems, the society Continue reading
Professionalization of Management
There has been a growing trend towards professionalization of management. Professionalization imparts a certain social responsibility and dignity to management. A professional cannot be controlled or directed by the client. He has professional knowledge and judgment which he uses to make his decision. Thus, professionalization makes business more efficient, dynamic and socially responsible. The growth of management education has contributed to professionalization in the business field. The company form of business organization which has split ownership from management and the gaining popularity of the company form of business organization have increased the need for professional managers. Is Management a Profession? To answer this question, first of all we should understand what a profession is. Many authorities on the subject have attempted to define a profession. According to Abraham Flexner, A profession is; A body of specialized knowledge and recognized educational process of acquiring it. A standard of qualifications governing admission Continue reading
Limitations of Planning
The planning function of management is the most crucial function as it pertains to plan about the future and designing several future courses of actions. It is a preliminary move in the functioning of a firm. It is an organized activity that defines when, how and who is going to execute an explicit task. Planning function of management is also recognized as a detailed programme concerning future courses of action. With the help of planning, it becomes easy for a firm to consider all its available & potential human and physical resources. This consideration facilitate in getting an effective co-ordination, involvement & ideal balance. Although planning is an important function of management. However, the planning may fail if the following limitations. Lack of accuracy: planning relates to future and future is always uncertain and so prediction about future is so much difficult. Moreover planning are based on data/information relating to Continue reading