Chapter 1: The contemporary workplace Flashcards
What do top managers do? Give an example of one.
Top managers guide the performance of the organisation as a whole, or of one of its major parts. They scan the environment and ensure that strategies are consistent with the organisation’s mission. Examples include CEOs, COOs, managing directors and directors.
What do middle managers do? Give an example of one.
Middle managers oversee the work of large departments or divisions consisting of several smaller work units. They work with top managers and should be team-oriented. Examples include deans in universities, division managers, factory managers and branch sales managers.
What do project managers do?
Project managers coordinate complex projects with task deadlines and people with many areas of expertise.
What do lower managers do? Give an example of one.
Lower managers are people in charge of small work groups composed of non-managerial workers. These include team leaders or supervisors. They ensure that work teams meet objectives consistent with higher level organisation goals.
What do line managers do? Give an example of one.
Line managers directly contribute to the production of the organisation’s basic goods or services - their jobs relate to sales operations of the store. Examples include general manager, retail manager and department supervisors.
What do staff managers do? Give an example of one.
Staff managers use special technical expertise to advise and support line workers. Examples include director of human resources and CFO.
What do functional managers do?
Functional managers are responsible for one area of activity, such as finance, marketing, production, human resources, accounting or sales.
What do general managers do? Give an example of one.
General managers are responsible for complex organisational units that include many areas of functional activity. An example is a plant manager who oversees many different functions including purchasing, manufacturing and sales.
What do administrators do? Give an example of one.
Administrators are managers who work in public or not-for-profit organisations. Examples include hospital administrator, public administrator and human-service administrator.
What are the four functions of management?
PLOC. Planning, leading, organising and controlling.
Briefly describe the four functions of management.
Planning is the process of setting objectives and determining how to accomplish them.
Controlling is the process of measuring performance and taking action to ensure desired results.
Organising is the process of assigning tasks, allocating resources and arranging activities to implement plans.
Leading is the process of arousing enthusiasm and directing efforts towards organisational goals.
What are Mintzberg’s ten managerial roles?
Interpersonal roles - Figurehead, Leader, Liaison
Informational roles - Monitor, Disseminator, Spokesperson
Decisional roles - Entrepreneur, Disturbance handler, Resource allocator, Negotiator
Briefly describe the what interpersonal, informational and decisional roles are.
The interpersonal roles involve interactions with people inside and outside the work unit.
A manager’s informational roles involve the giving, receiving and analysing of information.
The decisional roles involve using information to make decisions to solve problems or tackle opportunities.
What is a skill?
A skill is the ability to translate knowledge into action that results in desired performance.
What are the three types of skills? (Katz)
Technical skills are the ability to use a special proficiency or expertise to perform particular tasks
Human skills are the ability to work well in cooperation with other people.
Conceptual skills are the ability to think analytically and solve complex problems.
