DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT

1.0 DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT

Management is currently described as a leadership job that gives overall direction to help an organization achieve its objectives. Management is the process of establishing and accomplishing objectives via the efficient use of human, financial, and material resources.

1.2 EVOLUTION OF MANAGEMENT

• Classical Approach
• Behavioral Approach
• Quantitative Approach
• Modern Approaches
• Emerging Approaches

Source : Management Study HQ (2021)

Classical Approach

There are three schools of thought in classical management. This approach looked at the organization from the standpoint of production.

Scientific Management

This approach emphasized on scientific study of work methods to improve the efficiency of the workers. This method mainly concentrated on Improving efficiency through establishing standards, systematic observations and experiments.

“One best way to do each job”

Administrative theory

Main Focus of this approach was to coordinate the international activities of the organization. This method concentrated on division of work, authority and responsibility, Discipline, Unity of command (each employee should receive orders from one superior) and remuneration etc.

Bureaucratic Management

This Management approach shows how to run organizations and emphasizes the need for organizations to function on a rational basis. The main characteristics of this approach are work specialization, strict rules and regulations, impersonality of managers and hierarchical structure.

Behavioral Approach

This approach viewed the organization from an individual and employee point of view. The behavioral approach to management concentrated on individual attitudes, behaviors and group processes. This can be considered the foundation of Human Recourse Management as this approach considered the human factor and how employees get motivated.

Quantitative Approach

This approach focused on achieving organizational effectiveness through mathematical and statistical concepts. Quantitative method included application of statistics, optimization models, information models and computer simulations.

Modern Approaches

System Theory

Management cannot function effectively without considering the external environmental factors this approach viewed the organization as a whole and a part of the external environment. According to this theory an organizational system has four major components; Inputs, Transformation Process, Out – put and Feed back

• Inputs - Money, Material, Machines and Men
• Transformation Process - Managerial and technical abilities to convert in puts to                          output
• Outputs        - Products, Services and Profits
• Feedback        - More orders, Customer complaints,

Contingency Theory

According to this theory, there is no one best way to manage all situations. In other words there is no one best way to manage. The manager’s task is to identify the best technique for the particular situation.

Emerging Approaches  

Quality Management

This Approach concentrates on continues improvement of product and services to achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction. 

1.3 FUNCTIONS OF MANGEMENT

• Planning
• Organizing
• Staffing
• Directing (Leading)
• Controlling

Source : startupstrings (2020)

PLANNING

Planning is All about identifying and setting goals, deciding on how to achieve them and in what time frame.

1. What do we need to achieve? (Goal)
2. Where are we now? (SWOT- Situational Analysis)
3. How do we achieve it?         (Strategy)
4. What do we need to achieve?  (Resources)
5. By when do we achieve it ? (Time frame)

Source : Depositphotos (2021)

 ORGANIZING

Organizing is sourcing, allocating and arranging of resources, activity and authority in order to achieve organizational objectives.

• Resources need to be sourced and allocated in a cost effective and an efficient manner in order to be competitive, as it has a major impact on the price of the final produce.
• Activity needs to be allocated in a manner that will give the best productivity.
• Authority and empowerment to achieve a high level of efficiency

STAFFING

• Staffing refers to having a quality work force that will help achieve the goals and the objectives of the company
• Sourcing employees to fill the jobs created by the organizing process.
• Matching job demands with the applicant’s ability (Right people at the right place)
• Orientation of the new employees to the new organizational environment.
• Training on job functions and required knowledge and skills.
• Retaining qualified and experience staff.
• Job rotation, Job enlargement, Job enrichment.
• Performance appraisals, rewards and recognition.
• Pay benefits and other staff welfare.

DIRECTING (LEADING)

Directing and leading members of the organization to go in the path that will help the organization achieve its goals. This is giving general direction and leadership toward the organization's stated goals through effective communication, clear work procedures, responsibility, delegation, and empowerment.

 CONTROLING

The management function is responsible for monitoring employee activities, keeping the organization on track to achieve its objectives, and making necessary corrections. The following are the main steps in controlling:

• Establishing standards for performance (Ex. Targets, Lead times etc.)
• Measuring standards against established standards.
• Monitoring and evaluating performance standards.
• Corrective action.

 

Reference

Depositphotos (2021) 7,179 planing stock vectors, royalty-free vector images & illustrations. Depositphotos [online] Available at https://depositphotos.com/vector-images/planing.html, Accessed on May 26, 2021

Management study HQ (2021) The evolution of management thought and the evaluation of management theories. Management Study HQ [online] Available at https://www.managementstudyhq.com/evolution-management-thought-theories.html Accessed on May 26, 2021

Startupstrings (2020) 5 Function of management process, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling. Startupstrings Take It Make IT,[online] Available at https://startupstrings.com/functions-of-management/ Accessed on May 26, 2021