Principles of Management

LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT

As we have already learnt that management does not refer to a single individual but it refer to a group of persons. In companies large number of persons are employed and placed at different places to perform different managerial activities. To carry on these activities these employees are given necessary authority and responsibility. This grant of authority results in creation of chain of authority. This chain is divided into three levels which result in creation of three levels of management.

The main levels of management are:

    1    Top level management.

    2    Middle level management.

    3.  Supervisory level, operational or lower level management.

        Top Level Management

Top level management consists of Chairman, Board of Directors, Managing Director, General Manager, President, Vice President, Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.), Chief Financial Officer (C.F.O.) and Chief Operating Officer etc. It includes group of crucial persons essential for leading and directing the efforts of other people. The managers working at his level have maximum authority.

Main functions of top level management are:

a)      Determining the objective of the enterprise. The top level managers formulate the main objectives of the organization. They form long term as well as short term objectives.

b)      Framing of plans and policies. The top level managers also frame the plans and policies to achieve the set objectives.

c)      Organizing activities to be performed by persons working at middle level. The top level management assign jobs to different individuals working at middle level.

d)      Assembling all the resources such as finance, fixed assets etc. The top level management all the finance required to carry on activities in the organization.

e)      Controlling the performance of employees. The top level management keeps a check on employees and their performance. They make sure that plans are implemented in the right direction.

f)        Liaison with outside world, for example, meeting Government officials etc. The top level management remain in contact with government, competitors, suppliers, media etc.

Middle Level Management

This level of management consists of departmental heads such as purchase department head, sales department head, finance manager, marketing manager, executive officers, plant superintendent etc. People of this group are responsible for executing the plans and policies made by top level. They act as a link between top and lower level management. They also exercise the functions of top level for their department as they make plans and policies for their department, organize and collect the resources etc.

Main functions of middle level management are:

a)  Interpretation of policies framed by top management to lower level. Middle level management act as a linking pin between top level and lower level management. They only explain the main plans and policies framed by top level management to lower level

.

b)   Organizing the activities of their department for executing the plans and policies. Generally middle level managers are head of some department. So they organise  all the resources and activities of their department.

c)  Finding out or recruiting/selecting and appointing the required employees for their department. The middle level management select and appoint employees of their department.

d)   Motivating the persons to perform to their best ability. The middle level managers offer various incentives to employees so that they can get motivated and perform to their best ability.

Supervisory Level /Operational Level

      This level consists of supervisors, superintendent, foreman, sub-department executives, clerk etc. Managers of this group actually carry on the work to perform the activities according to the plans of top and middle level management. Their authority is limited. The quality and quantity of output depends upon the efficiency of this level of managers. They pass on the instruction to workers and report to the middle level management. They are also responsible for maintaining discipline among the workers.

      

      Functions of lower level management are:

a)      Representing the problems or grievances of workers before the middle level management. The supervisory level managers are directly linked with subordinates so they are the right persons to understand the problems and grievances of subordinates. They pass these problems to middle level management.

b)      Maintaining good working conditions and developing healthy relations between superior and subordinate. The supervisory managers provide good working conditions and crate supportive work environment which improve relations between supervisors and subordinates.

c)      Looking to safety of workers. Supervisory level managers provide safe and secure work environment for workers.

d)      Helping the middle level management in recruiting, selecting and appointing the workers. The supervisory level managers guide and help the middle level managers when they select and appoint employees.

e)      Communicating with workers and welcoming of their suggestions. The supervisory level managers encourage the workers to take initiative. They welcome their suggestions and reward them for good suggestions.

f)       They try to maintain precise standard quality and ensure steady flow of output. The supervisory level managers make sure that quality standards are maintain by the workers.

g)      They are responsible for boosting the morale of the workers and developing the team spirit in them. They motivate the employees and boost their morale.

Management: Both Science and Art

Management is both science as well as art. Like science it has systematic and well-organised body of knowledge and like art it requires personal skill, creativity and practice to apply such knowledge in the best possible way. Science and art are not in contrast to each other; both exist together in every function of management.

 Management as a Profession

Profession can be defined as an occupation backed by specialized knowledge and training, in which is restricted.

The main features of profession are:

1. Well defined Body of knowledge. In every profession there is practice of systematic body of knowledge which helps the professionals to gain specialized knowledge of that profession. In case of management also there is availability of systematic body of knowledge. There are large numbers of books available on management studies. Scholars are studying various business situations and are trying to develop new principles to tackle these situations.

2. Restricted Entry.   The entry to a profession is restricted through an examiner or degree. For example a person can practice as Doctor only when he is having M.B.B.S degree. Whereas there is no legal restriction on appointment of a manager, anyone can become a manager irrespective of the educational qualification. But now many companies prefer to appoint managers only with MBA degree. So presently this feature of profession is not present in management but soon it will be included with statutory backing.

3. Service Motive. The basic motive of every profession is to serve the clients with dedication. Whereas basic purpose of management is achievement of management goal, for example for a business organization the goal can be profit maximization.

But nowadays only profit maximization cannot be the sole goal of an enterprise. To survive in market for a long period of time, a businessman must give due importance to social objectives along with economic objectives. 

So presently this feature of profession is not present but very soon it will be included.

4. Existence Of Ethical Codes.  For every profession there are set of ethical codes fixed by professional organizations and are binding on all the professionals of that profession. In case of management there is growing emphasis on ethical behavior of managers. All India Management Association (AIMA) has devised a code of conduct for Indian managers. But legally it is not compulsory for all the managers to get registered with AIMA and abide by the ethical codes.

So presently this feature of profession is not present in management but very soon it will be included with statutory backing.  

5. Presence Of Professional Associations.  For all the professions, special associations are established and every professional has to get himself registered with his association before practicing that profession. For example, doctors have to get themselves registered with Medical Council of India, lawyers with Bar Council of India etc.

In case of management various management associations are set up at national and international levels which have some membership rules and set of ethical codes, for example, AIMA in New Delhi, National Institute of Personal Management at Calcutta etc., but legally it is not compulsory for managers to become a part of these organizations by registration.

So presently this feature of profession is not present in management but very soon it will be included and get statutory backing also.

1.5.2

Management as an Art

Art can be defined as a systematic body of knowledge which requires skill, creativity and practice to get perfection.

The main features of art are:

1.      Systematic body of knowledge/Existence of theoretical knowledge. In every art there is systematic and organized study material available to acquire theoretical knowledge of the art. For example, various books on different ragas are available in music. In management also there is systematic and organised body of knowledge available which can help in acquiring managerial studies. So this feature of art is present in management also.  

                          

2.      Personalized application. In the field of art only theoretical knowledge is not enough. Every artist must have personal skill and creativity to apply that knowledge. For example, all musicians learn some ragas according to their personal skill and creativity which makes them different. In management also all managers learn same management theories and principles. But their efficiency depends how well they use these principles under different situations by applying personal skills and creativity so this feature of art is present in management.  

       

1.5

NATURE OF MANAGEMENT

Some authors regard management as science because there are well tested and experimented principles of management, some authors describe management as an art because more practice      is required in management and some authors consider that management is going towards the paths of profession. To conclude whether management is science, art and profession and compare them with management meaning and features.

 Management as a Science

Science can be defined as a systematic and organised body of knowledge based on logically observed findings, facts and events.

Science comprises of exact principles which can be verified and it can establish cause and effect relations.

Main characteristics/features of science are:

                                      

1.      Systematic body of knowledge. In science organised and systematic study of material is available which is used to acquire the knowledge of science. Like science in management also there is availability of systematic and organised study material. So first feature of science is present in management.

2.      Scientific principles are derived on the bases of logical and scientific observations. The scientists perform logical observation before deriving any principle or theory. They are very objective while doing the observations. But when managers are observing they have to observe human beings and observation of human being cannot be purely logical and objective. Some kind of subjectively enters in the observations so this feature of science is not present in management.

3.      Principles are based on repeating experiments. Before developing scientific principles scientists test these principles under different conditions and places. Similarly, managers also test and experiment managerial principles under different conditions in different organizations. So this feature of science is present in management.

4.      Universal Validity. Scientific principles have universal application and validity. Management principles are not exact like scientific principles so their application and use is not universal. They have to modify according to the given situation. So this feature of science is not present in management.

5.      Replication is possible .In science replication is possible as when two scientists are undertaking the same investigation working independently and treating the same data under the same conditions may desire or obtain the identical or exactly same result. 

But in management managers have to conduct research or experiments on human beings. So if two managers are investigating same data, on different sets of human beings they will not get identical or same result because human beings never respond in exactly identical manner. So this feature of science is also not present in management.

Good Management Makes A Good Professional Working Environment