MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT
Short Answer Questions:
Explain the functions of management. Lecture One
Management has various functions like organizing, planning, controlling, directing and staffing. In organizing, the management determines the various activities that should be done to attain the goals of the company, and therefore the management also assigns these activities to the correct employees. The management proceeds by allotting an authority to deal with the performance of these activities in a way that is cohesive. In planning, the management attempts to predict the future and consequently controlling the various events. Here, the management does the incorporation of the internal and the external factors to effectively forecast the future and also come up with relevant control measures. In controlling, the management establishes various standards that can be used in the performance of work; the management and these performances also measure performance are also compared to the standards that have been set. The management advances by taking remedial actions and deviations are also corrected. In directing, the management provides guidance and issues instructions to the subordinates about the methods and the procedures through leadership. The management also motivates the subordinates and also ensures open communication to facilitate smooth flow of feedback and information in the company. The management also ensures that the subordinates are supervised to assure that the subordinates are taking the right directions. In staffing, the management hires and also retains employees that are suitable for the company at all levels.
Define the types of roles a manager must perform. Lecture One
A manager provides leadership and guidance to other employees in various situations to minimize task delays and also minimize conflicts between the employees. The manager also keeps track of the tasks that are being carried out and then reports the condition of these tasks to the superiors. A manager also has a role of making sure that the operations don’t surpass the budget and in case this doesn’t happen, the manager provides a report to the management. A manager also has a role of ensuring that everything in the company is in control.
What are the four elements that are impacting the manager’s job significantly? Give at least two examples for each. Lecture One
A manager’s job is significantly affected by these elements; economy for example, if the economy is at the depression, it may be difficult for the manager to perform efficiently since resources will be limited, environment for example in the internal environment, there may be some employees who are not motivated, and thus they may be difficult to manage, nature and finances.
What are the 4 Principles of Scientific Management? Lecture two
The first principle states that the rule of thumb should be replaced by methods that have their basis on the tasks’ scientific study. The second principle states that every worker should scientifically be chosen, trained and developed instead of leaving these workers to be responsible for their training. Employees should be trained using science that is selected carefully, (Wang, 2011). The third principle states that there should be cooperation between the workers and the management to ensure the adherence to the methods that have been developed scientifically. The fourth principle states that there should be an equal division of work between workers and the managers to ensure that `the principles of scientific management are put into application by managers to aid in work planning and also make sure that the workers perform the tasks.
What is Quality Management? Lecture two
This is the watching over of the various tasks and activities which are required in the maintenance of the excellence levels that are desired or required.
Provide some examples of early management practice. Lecture Two
One of the examples of early management practice is the construction of the Great Wall of China which involved the division of labor, productivity increase and even the minimization of time loss as tasks were being changed. Another example of the early management practice is the construction of the Egyptian pyramids whereby people were managed as this construction took place and various management practices were also applied, and these practices were successful.
Define Omnipotent and Symbolic View. Lecture Three
The symbolic view means that various factors cannot be controlled by manages and because of this, these managers don’t have control over the outcomes of these factors. The omnipotent view means that the failure or the success of a company is the responsibilities of the managers since these managers’ control is unlimited.
Explain the Specific and General Environment. Lecture Three
The General Environment comprises of various forces and factors that are exterior to an organization, and these forces can impact on the operations and the performance of the organization. These factors include political, macroeconomic, demographic, socio-cultural and technological factors. The specific environment is comprised of the environment that has direct relevance to the achievement of the goals of a company. This environment comprises of competitors, customers, pressure groups and even the suppliers.
How to assess Environmental Uncertainty? Lecture Three
The assessment of environmental uncertainty can be assessed by combining simple and stable degrees of changes when dealing with low environmental uncertainty. The stable and complex degrees of changes can also be brought together when dealing with moderate environmental uncertainty. The unstable and simple degrees of changes can also be brought together when dealing with moderate environmental uncertainty. Lastly, unstable and complex degrees of changes can also be brought together when dealing with high environmental uncertainty. That is how environmental uncertainty can be assessed.
What is Cultural Environment? What three things does it imply? Lecture Three
A cultural environment refers to a set of practices, beliefs, behaviors or customs which have commonalities among people that reside in a specific location. This implies that this environment influences the personalities of the people in this location. It also implies that this environment influences the ideologies of these people residing in this location. Additionally, this implies that this environment also influences the development of these people in this location.
Give the advantages and disadvantages of Ethnocentric, Polycentric Host and Geocentric. Lecture Four
The advantage of ethnocentric is that it is easy to execute since there is an easy replication of strategies. The advantage of geocentric is that it is not difficult to execute. The advantage of polycentric is that there is improved productivity since the host market is well understood.
The disadvantage of ethnocentric is that it has a high rate of failure. The disadvantage of geocentric is that the employees and managers have to be able to apply many styles at the same time. The disadvantage of polycentric is that there is no coordination between a parent company and the host.
What do you know about the European Union? Name at least ten countries who are a member of the Union. Lecture Four
The European Union is a political and economic union that is unique, and that has a total of 28 countries. Some of these countries include Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Denmark, France, Finland, and Greece.
What the eight stages of decision making? Lecture 6
The decision making has the following stages. Identification of the problem, gathering of information, identification of the options, analysis of the options, development of criteria for comparing the options, selection of an alternative, implementation of choice and the assessment of the effectiveness of the decision.
Explain the sources of an organization’s culture and describe how it is transmitted to employees. Lecture Three
The sources of the culture of an organization are derived from the following; attribute s of the members of the organization, ethics of the organization, structure of the organization and the property right system. An organization’s culture is transmitted to employees through the use of rituals, stories, language, training, and material symbols.
Who were Frank and Lillian Gilberth? What was their theory? Lecture Two
Frank and Lillian Gilberth were the individuals who were responsible for the valuing of efficiency through the identification and the replication of the most excellent ways in which a task can be completed. Their theory stated that there is always a possibility of a single best way that can be used to perform any task.
References
Wang, V. X. (2011). Principles of scientific management and occupational analysis. In Definitive readings in the history, philosophy, theories and practice of career and technical education (pp. 15-26). IGI Global.