Introduction to Management Study Notes
CHAPTER 1
1. – Descibe the characteristics of an organisation
Managers work in an organisation, which is a deliberate arrangement of people to accomplish some specific purpose. Organisations have three characteristics: - they have a distinct purpose - the are composed of people - they have a deliberate structure
Many of today’s organisations are structured to be more open, flexible and responsive to changes, and have undergone some major changes in relation to how they operate.
2. – Explain why managers are important to organisations
Managrtd str important to organisations for three reasons. First, organisations need their managerial skills and abilities in uncertain, complex and chaotic times. Second, managers are critical to getting things done in organisations. Finally, managers contribute to employee productivity and loyalty; the way employees are managed can affect the organisation’s financial performance; and managerial ability has been shown to be important in creating organisational value.
1.5 – Describe the functions, roles and skills of managers
Functions (Fayol, 1916):
Planning – defining goals, establishing strategies and developing plans
Organising – arranging and structuring work
Leading – working with and through people
Controlling – Monitoring, comparing and correcting work performance
Roles (Mintzberg, 1973):
Interpersonal: involves people and other ceremonial/symbolic duties - figurehead, leader, liaison
Informational: collecting, receiving and disseminating info - monitor, disseminator, spokesperson
Decisional: making choices - entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator and negotiator.
Skills (Katz, 1974):
Human: working with people
Technical: job-specific knowledge
Conceptual: ability to think or conceptualise
1.6 – Discuss whether the manager’s job is universal
All managers, independently of their organisational level, have to plan, organise, lead and control; however, the time
1. – Descibe the characteristics of an organisation
Managers work in an organisation, which is a deliberate arrangement of people to accomplish some specific purpose. Organisations have three characteristics: - they have a distinct purpose - the are composed of people - they have a deliberate structure
Many of today’s organisations are structured to be more open, flexible and responsive to changes, and have undergone some major changes in relation to how they operate.
2. – Explain why managers are important to organisations
Managrtd str important to organisations for three reasons. First, organisations need their managerial skills and abilities in uncertain, complex and chaotic times. Second, managers are critical to getting things done in organisations. Finally, managers contribute to employee productivity and loyalty; the way employees are managed can affect the organisation’s financial performance; and managerial ability has been shown to be important in creating organisational value.
1.5 – Describe the functions, roles and skills of managers
Functions (Fayol, 1916):
Planning – defining goals, establishing strategies and developing plans
Organising – arranging and structuring work
Leading – working with and through people
Controlling – Monitoring, comparing and correcting work performance
Roles (Mintzberg, 1973):
Interpersonal: involves people and other ceremonial/symbolic duties - figurehead, leader, liaison
Informational: collecting, receiving and disseminating info - monitor, disseminator, spokesperson
Decisional: making choices - entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator and negotiator.
Skills (Katz, 1974):
Human: working with people
Technical: job-specific knowledge
Conceptual: ability to think or conceptualise
1.6 – Discuss whether the manager’s job is universal
All managers, independently of their organisational level, have to plan, organise, lead and control; however, the time