CH4: General Management Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is the role of coordination in an organisation?
Coordination ensures that all departments, resources, and activities work harmoniously toward common goals. It avoids duplication, resolves conflicts, improves efficiency, and aligns efforts across the organization.
How do supportive tasks like decision-making and environmental analysis relate to core management functions?
They enhance the effectiveness of the core functions by enabling informed planning, adaptable structures, proactive leadership, and accurate performance evaluation.
What are the four primary management tasks, how are they interdependent, and what is their goal?
The four tasks are Planning, Organising, Leading, and Controlling. They are interdependent—planning sets direction, organising allocates resources, leading motivates, and controlling monitors results. Together, they aim to achieve organisational objectives efficiently and effectively.
Why is planning important, what are its levels, and what strategies are used?
Planning is the first management task because it sets goals and guides other functions. Strategic planning is done by top management, tactical by middle, and operational by lower. Strategies include Porter’s generic strategies (cost leadership, differentiation, focus), turnaround strategies, and functional strategies.
What are the steps in the planning process, and why is budgeting important?
The planning process involves 7 steps:
- setting goals,
- identifying resources,
- assessing risks,
- formulating actions,
- implementing plans,
- monitoring, and
- evaluating.
Budgeting ensures financial feasibility and resource allocation in the plan.
What is the organising function, its goal, and how does it relate to planning?
Organising is arranging resources and tasks to implement plans. It involves assigning roles, coordinating activities, and creating structures. It follows planning and provides the means to execute it effectively.
What structural principles guide organisational design?
Key principles include:
Unity of command (each person reports to one superior),
Span of control (number of subordinates per manager),
Departmentalisation (grouping tasks), and
The distinction between responsibility and authority.
What is leadership and what types of power do leaders use?
Leadership is the ability to influence, guide, and inspire others toward achieving a common goal.
- Legitimate power – authority from a formal position.
- Reward power – control over rewards or benefits.
- Coercive power – ability to punish or enforce consequences.
- Expert power – influence from knowledge or skill.
- Referent power – influence from, charisma, personal traits and based on respect or admiration.
How can leaders develop themselves and why is it important?
Leaders develop by managing emotions, reflecting on actions, seeking feedback, and committing to lifelong learning. Continuous development ensures adaptability and credibility in a changing environment.
What’s the difference between leadership and management?
Management focuses on planning, organising, and controlling. Leadership focuses on vision, influence, and motivation. A manager may not be a leader, and a leader may not hold formal managerial authority.
What is the control function and how is it applied?
Controlling ensures plans are being followed. It includes four steps:
setting standards,
measuring performance,
comparing results, and
taking corrective action.
Benchmarking is used to compare performance to best practices.
What are types of decisions and steps in decision-making?
- Strategic – Long-term, broad impact
- Tactical – Medium-term, supports strategy
- Operational – Daily, routine actions
- Programmed – Repetitive, rule-based
- Non-programmed – Unique, unstructured
Decision making process:
1. Identify the problem or opportunity
2. Gather information
3. Generate alternatives
4. Evaluate alternatives
5. Choose the best option
6. Implement the decision
7. Evaluate and adjust
What does digital management and leadership involve today?
Digital management involves leveraging technology for strategic advantage. Digital leaders must adapt to fast-paced change, use data-driven decision-making, and lead virtual teams effectively.
