Introduction To Organizations And Management Flashcards
What is an organisation?
A collection of two or more people who work together in a structured way to achieve a specific goal or set of goals.
Definitions from various sources include: a group of people working together (Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary), a social entity that is goal-directed (Samson, Donnet and Daft, 2018), and a deliberate arrangement of people (Robbins and Coulter, 2020).
Why do we need organisations?
- To accomplish otherwise impossible tasks
- To provide means to achieve complex human needs
- To accomplish psycho-emotional needs
- To produce, preserve and disseminate knowledge
These needs highlight the essential functions of organisations in society.
What is a business organisation?
A collection of individuals and a deliberately structured entity which produces goods and services utilising limited resources to achieve its specific goals and objectives.
How can business organisations be classified?
- By objective
- By ownership
- By size
What is management?
The process of planning, organising, commanding, coordinating and controlling.
Define management according to Robbins and Coulter.
Management is the process of getting things done, effectively and efficiently, through and with other people.
What are the core concepts in management?
- Resources
- Scarcity
- Efficiency
- Effectiveness
- Productivity
What is efficiency in management?
The use of resources wisely, in a cost-effective way, often referred to as ‘doing things right’.
What is effectiveness in management?
The degree to which the organisation achieves a stated goal, often described as ‘doing the right things’.
Why is management important?
- Achieving goals
- Efficient and effective use of resources
- Growth and development
- Proper administration and leadership
- Planning for the future
- Discipline
Who is a manager?
Someone responsible for directing the efforts aimed at helping organisations achieve their goals.
What are the bases for classifying managers?
- The Managerial Levels
- Scope of the Activities
- Responsibility of the Activities
What is a functional manager?
A manager who is responsible for one business function in an organisation.
What is a general manager?
The individual responsible for all the business functions in an organisation.
What are line managers responsible for?
Work activities that directly affect the organisation’s outputs and objectives.
What are the three critical skills needed by managers according to Robert L. Katz?
- Technical Skills
- Human Skills
- Conceptual Skills
Define conceptual skills in management.
A manager’s ability to analyse and diagnose a situation and find the cause and effect.
Define human skills in management.
A manager’s ability to work with, understand, mentor, and motivate others, both individually and in groups.
Define technical skills in management.
The job-specific knowledge required to perform a task, such as marketing, accounting, and manufacturing.
What are the three conceptual categories of managerial roles according to Henry Mintzberg?
- Interpersonal Roles
- Informational Roles
- Decisional Roles
What are interpersonal roles in management?
Roles that managers assume to coordinate and interact with employees and provide direction to the organisation.
What is the figurehead role?
Perform ceremonial and symbolic duties, such as greeting visitors and signing legal documents.
What is the leader role in management?
Direct and motivate subordinates, train, counsel, and communicate with subordinates.
What are informational roles in management?
Roles associated with the activities needed to obtain and transmit information for management of the organisation.
