Human Resource Management Unit 4
Human Resource Management Unit 4
Human Resource Management Unit 4
Definitions
Some of the important definitions on organization ,given by eminent persons ,are as follows: 1. 'Organising is the process of identifying and grouping the work to be performed, defining and delegating responsibility and authority, and establishing relationship for the purpose of enabling people to work most effectively together in accomplishing objectives' - Allen. 2. 'Organisation embraces the duties of desingning the departments and the personnel that are to carry work , defining their functions and specifying the relations that are to exist between departments and individuals' - Kimball and Kimball. 3. 'Organisation involves the establishment of an intentional structure of roles through the determination of the activities required to achieve the goals of an enterprise, the grouping of these activities, the assingnment of such groups to a manager, the delegation of authority to carry them out, and provision for co-ordination, horizontally and vertically, in the organisation structure' - Koontz and O'Donnel. 4. 'Organising is the establishing of effective authority relationship among seleted work, persons, and work place in order for the group to work together efficiently' G.R.Terry. 'Organisation means the complete pattern of communications and other relation in a group of human being. This pattern provides to each member of the group much of the information, assumption, goals and attiudes that enter into his decision, and provides him also with a set of stable and comprehensible expentations as to what the other members of the group are doing, and how they wil react to what he says and does' - Simon. 'Organisation is the structural framework of duties and responsibilities requried of personnel in prefroming various functions within the company' - Wheeler. 'Organisation is a harmonious adjustment of specialised parts for the
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accomplishment of some common purpose or proposes' - Haney. 8. 'Organisation is a structural framework within which various efforts are coordinated and related to each other' - Theo Haimann. 'Organisation is a process of welding together a framework of prositions which can be used as a managemant for the most effective pursuits of the goals of an enterprise' James Lundy. 'Organisation is the process of combing the work which individuals or group have to perfrom with facilities necessary for its execution, that the duties so oerfromed provide the best channels for the efficient, systamatic, positive and co-ordinated application of the available efforts' - Olive Sheldon. The above definitions make it clear that organisation concerned with grouping of activities, establishing authority - responsibility relationships between them and creating accountability of the enterprise goal.
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Process Of Organisation
The process or act of organisation involves the following stages : 1. Division of Work -- The entire work of the business enterprise is divided into a number of activities for better perfromance and control. In a manufacturing concern, the variour activities may be divided into certain categorie - production, finance, personnal and marketing. In a trading concern, the activities may be divided into purchase, storage, display, accounting, sales, advertising etc. 2. Grouping of Activities -- As the second step, activites, which are similar in nature and also closely related, will be put under the control of a department. For example, window display, advertising, management of sales staff, sales promotion etc., are the activities to be grouped and brought under the control of the marketing department. Similarly management of working capital, provision of marking purchases, buying machinery etc., are the activities perfromed by the finance department. 3. Assignment of Work -- After the activities have been grouped into departments, the next step is to assign work to every andividual who is employed in a particulur department. Foe example, in the finance department, an individual assign the work of receiving cash, another person may be making disbrusement so on. Likewise, in the marking department, a salesman may be made in charge of one region, another salesman may look after sales in another region and so on. 4. Delegation of Authority -- An employee who as assigned some work, need to be given certain authority to carry out the responsibility. Transfer of authority by a superior to a subordinate is what is known as delegation of authority. For example, a salesman who as been asked to look after sales in a particular region needs to be
given the necessary funds to go over to such a place, stay there and meet the costomers in that place. He needs funds for travelling, stay,food and so on.Without the authority to draw the necessary amount, the salesman will not be able to do this work. 5. Creation of Accountability -- A subordinate to whom the authority has been delegated must be made accountability to his superior for the use of authority and for the work done. Only by creating accountability, the superior can ensure that the subordinate has fullfilled the task assinged to him and has not misused the authority. 6. Defining Relationships -- It means that every subordinate should know who is superior and in the same manner every superior must know the subordinates under them. Every subordinate must carryout the task assinged to him by his superior only and he is accountable to that superior alone.
Importance of Organisation
The benefits or advantages or the importance of organisation may be explained as follows : 1. Vital for Implementing Plans -- Organisation follows planning, implementation of the business plans cannot be posible without the aid of organisation. It is only a through organisation, the resources requried, to accomplish the enterprise goal, are acquried. Organisation assings the work to the superior and the subordinates.Accomplishment of the task by the individuals and departments should results in realisation of the business goal. 2. Specialisation -- the entire work of a manufacturing concern is divided into production, finance, personnal and marketing according to importance. A separate department is created to look after each of these. This result is specialisation. 3. Optimum use of resources -- Organisation gives utmost importance to the optimum utilisation of the enterprise resources, namely, men, machines, materials and money. Right men are recurited for the right job. All efforts are made to ensure that there is no overlapping of activities and duplication of work. Materials are keep at the right place and made available at the right time. Tools and equripment are properly maintained and put to the best possible use. 4. Teamwork -- The work that is done in an organisation is teamwork. The work of each individuals is determined by the work done by others. In other words, a series of opration will have to be carried out to complete the task. A number of persons will be perfroming these operation. It is, therefore, necessary for them to workas a team and with proper understanding. 5. Communication Realationship -- It is not possiblr for an individualsin an
organisation to do his work without getting orders, instructions and advise from others. For example, a subordinate has to work as per the instructions given to him by his superior. Once the work has completed, he has to report to his syperior. If the subordinate needs any clarification, he can either ask his superior or another subordinate. Thus, it becomes clear that organisation encourages communication relationship between the individuals. 6. Creativity -- An organisation provides ample scope for the individuals to exhibits their creative skills. As authority is delegated to every subordinates, he has the freedom to act. He can use all his innovatives ideas in perfroming the task. He will also be suitably rewared for the initiative he has made. Such a reward may be in the form of incentives, greaterdecision-making authority and so on. 7. Co-ordination -- The activities perfromed by different departments are interrelated and also interdepented. For example, production is a deepartments on the availability of finance. Marketing is dependent on productions. It is, therefore, important that a proper link is established between the activities of different departments. Surh a link is what is called co-ordination. 8. Continuity -- Men may come and go;machines may be replaced; materials may be purchased whenever necessary -- all these activities go on in an organisation on a continuous basis. Organisation ensures that there is no disruption of work due to the non availability of men, machines, materials and money.
Organisation Structure
An organisation structure explains the positions and official relationship between the vartions individuals working in an organisation. It helps to understand an organisation better. It provides answers t the following questions: Who is the top-most official in an organisation ? Who are the departments heads ? What are their functions ? Who are the subordinates atsff in each departments ? Etc.
Organisation Chart
Diagrammatic presentation of the orgnaisation structure is what is known as an 'Organisation Chart'. It may show the names, designations and functions of the personnal in an organisation. A specimen of organisation chart is given below:
General Manager
Production manager personal manager
Foreman 1
foreman 2
Worker 1 worker 2
Worker 1 worker 2
assistant 1 assistant 2
assistant 1 assistant 2
The limitations or drawbacks of an organisation chart are given below : 1. An organisation chart can only show the formal or official relationships in a organisation. It cannot depict the informal or personal relationship between the individuals. 2. It may, sometimes, promote ill-feelings among the personnel in an organisation. An individual, who has been indicated in the chart as a subordinate, may not be able to take it in the true spirit. 3. Often, the organisation chart is not updated in accordance with the changes in positions taking place in the organisation from time to time.
Priniciples of Organisation
A sound organisation structure should adhere to the following priniciples : 1. Objective : The various activities perfromed in an organisation should help to attain the goal of the enterprise . The goal of each individual and departement must synchronise with that of the concern. 2. Division of work : The total work of the enterprise should be divided into identifiable function like production, purchases, marketing, finance etc., for better performance and control. This leads to specialisation. 3. Authority and Responsibility : Authority is the official right of an manager. Responsibility is the duty of a subordinate, to whom some work has been assigned, to report to the superior on the work done. 4. Delegation : It means transfer of authority by a superior to his subordinate. A subordinate to whom some work has been given must also be given the necessary authority to carry out the task. Delegation results in a vertical flow of authority from the top level to the lower level of the organisation structure. 5. Balance : Authority and responsibility must always bre equal. If responsibility exceeds authority, the subordinates will not be able to perform the task. On the other hand, if authority exceeds responsibility, there will be misuse of authority. 6. Responsibility is Absolute : Responsibility is never delegated. For the perfromance of his subordinates, a superior is accountable to his own superior. 7. Unity of Command : It means that a subordinate should get orders from one superior only and is accountable to him alone. Dual subordination results in confusion and leads to indispline.
8. Unity of Direction : It means that each group of activities having the same objective must have only one head and one plan. 9. Simplicity : The organisation structure must not be a complicated one. It should have only few levels of authority so that there is free flow of communucation between persons. 10. Flexibilty : The organisation structure should not be rigid. It should be capable of being adjusted accourding to the requried changes in future.
2. It is possible for anyone to establish contact with anyone else in informal organisation. This may affect the work atmosphere. 3. Superior may lose their inportance. 4. Informal organisation promotes informal communication and as a result rumours may spread. 5. The employees may adope a casual approach to work in an informal atmosphere. This may affect the quality of work. .
Formal Organisation
1. It is consciously and deliberately created. 2. Authority and responsibility are vital for its functioning. friendship, affinity, trust
informal organisation
1. It arise spontaneously. 2. It is only personal factors such as and confidence that are important.
3. Rules and procedures are important. more important. 4. It can be shown on the organisation chart.
6. It is deliberately created only to attain the enterprise objectives. 6. It is created to fulfil the social needs of an individual. However, it may also contribute to the enterprise goal. 7. Designation and official positions are very important. not important. 8. It is permanent and stable. 7. Designation and official positions are
8. It is unstable.
Theories of Organisation
Many theories have been developed to explain the structure, functioning and performance of organisation and also the behaviour of individuals and groups within an organisation. The important theories are given below: (i) Classical Theory (ii) Neo-Classical Theory (iii) Modern Theory Each of these has been explained below:
Classical Theory
The classical theory has been developed by F.W.Taylor , Henri Fayol, Mooney Reiley and others. The theory explains the concept organisation through the following elements:
(i) Division of labour, (ii) Scalar and functional processes, (iii) Structure, and (iv) Span of control.
Division Theory
It is concerned with dividing the total work into a number of processes, each of which will be performed by different individuals. The benefit of division of labour is that it promotes specialisation. It also leads to a substantial increase in output without the need for additional capital.
Structure
The ofganisation structure is one which is deliberately and consiously created for the sake of attaiining the organisational objectives. It is concerned with the positions and designations of the personnel in an organisation and the tasks they are expected to carry out. The diagrammatic presentation of the structure is what is known as the oragnisation chart. The organisation structure ensures specialisation and effective co-ordination.
Span of Control
The span of control is also known by certain other names like span of supervision, span of manqement and so on. It actually refers to the number of subordinates a managerr can effectively manage. There are divergent views on the number of subordinates a manager can manage. If the manager is asked to supervise the work of too many subofdinates, he cannot do his work effectively. On the other hand, if the number is too low, the manager's potentials cannot be fully utilised. Hence, the need
for determining the correct span . The classical theory explains only a formal organisational set up. It fails to explain the role played by informal groups within a fomal organisation, personality differences etc.
Neo-Classical Theory
This theory is also known as the "Behavioural Theory of Organisation". This theory is identified with the human relations movement started by Elton Mayo and his associates. The neo-classical approach has adopted the basic patterns of the classical theory but it has modified the same in the light of the behavioural patterns of the people in the organisation. Division of work, no doubt, has several advantages. But it may cause monotony and fatigue as the worker is doing the same work again and again. The neo-classical theory, therefore, has accepted the concept of division of labour but has stressed the need for motivation, co-ordination and proper leadership to get rid of the negative aspects. The principle of scalar and functional processes has been modified with an added emphasis on delegation of authority and creation of accountability. As far as the principle of structure is concerned, the neo-classical theory has made an emphasis on the concflicts that may arise between people in an organisation who are performaing different functions. The tussle between the line executives and the staff executives has been shown as an example. To overcome such problems, the neo-classical theory has suggested participation, effective communitcation and recognition of human dignity. In the matter of span of control, the neo-classical theory has not accepted any superior - subordinates ratio. It has only said that in determining the correct span, factors such as the type of subordinates, the nature of work to be supervised etc., must be taken into account. Neo-classical theory is in favour of a flat organisations structure as against the tall structure put forth by the classical theory. A flat structure has a shorter span of control and this provides greater scope for effective communication and motivation.
2. There exists an informal organisation within a formal organisational set up. 3. Proper motivation and leadership will be necessary to break monotomy and fatigue. 4. There must be a proper system of delegation of authority and creation of accountability. 5. Conflicts between the personnel in an organisation can be resolved through participation, effective communication and recognition of human dignity. 6. Capabilities of the superiors and subordinates, the nature of the work to be performed etc., shall be considered in determining the correct span of control.
Goals
It is difficult to come across an organisation without any specific goal. But it is difficult to define in precise terms the overall organisational goal. Although each individual in an organisation perform his own line of activities, all such activities culminate in attaining the organisational goal.
Types of Organisation
Of the varioue types of organisation, the following ones are very propular. (i) Line Organisation, (ii) Line and Staff Organisation, (iii) Functional Organisation, (iv) Committee Organisation, (v) Project Organisation and (vi) Matrix Organisation. Let us now discuss each one of these in detail.
Line Organisation
The line orgnisation, also known as the 'Military Organisation', is the oldest form of organisation. In such an organisation, the superior at the top makes decisions and communicates his decisions an assigns certain work to his subordinate. The subordinate, in turn, makes certain decisions, within the scope of his authority, and assigns certain work to his own subordinate and so on. There is a vertical downward flow of authority and na upward flow of responsibility in such an organisation. As the military is organised in this fashion, the line organisation is given the name military organisation. The concept of line organisation may be explained by means of an diagram;
General Manager
Production Manager
Foremen
Workers
Fig 4.2 - Line Organisation
General Manager
Manager -
Plant Superior
Foreman 1 Foreman 3
Foreman 2
Workers
3. The suggestions, given by the staff experts, enable the line executives to take better decisions. 4. The sharing of work by the staff experts also helps to avoid delay in performing the entire work. 5. As every executives performs only a specific task, he is able to do it with full concentration. He is also able to work to his fullest capacity. This results in overall efficiency.
2. The staff experts do not have authority to make decisions. They can only advise. Such a position without authority makes them ineffective. 3. It is difficult to explain in precise teams the pattern of authority relationships between the line and staff executives. This results in confusion. 4. The line and staff pattarn of organisation would enhance the cost of operation.
To conclude it may be said that line and staff organisation, with all its limitations, is suitable for a concernthat is expanding.
Functional Organisation
Such a pattern of organisation is suitable for large scale establishments. In a functional organisation, there will be separate departments to look after different lines of activities. The purchase departent, for example, will take care of all matters pertaining to purchase. The production department will look after all production related activities. Sale, advertising, control of salesman etc., will be taken care of marketing de[artment. Provision of funds for short-team as well as long-team operation will be looked after by the finance department. Recruitment of staff, selection, placement, salary administration, training, etc., are the activities performed by the personnel dapertment. Each department will be headed by a manager and will work according to hierarchy. The concept of functional organisation may be explained by means of a simple diagram :
Board of Directors
Managing Director
Marketing Manager
Foreman 2 OfficerTraining
Foreman 1 OfficerSalary
Sales Officer 1
Sales Officer 2
Workers Assistants
Sales Representatives
Committee Orgnisation
A committee is a group of persons entrusted with certain tasks. The committee members are expected to discuss the problem under considaration in detail and come out with a solution. The Borad of Directors of a company or a Trade Union of workers may be cited as an example of a committee. A number of committee may be created in certarn depending upon the requirement. A review committee, For eg, may be consituted to review the progress of work at the various levels.
Types of Committees
Committees are useally classified into the following steps : 1. Standing or Permanent Committee, 2. Temporary Committee, 3. Executive Committee, 4. Advisory Committee, 5. Formal Committee, and 6. Informal Committee. Let us now see about each one.
Such a committee is never dissovle. Although there may be changes in membership, the committee remains always. The Borad of Directors of a Company is an example.
Temporary Committee
A temporary committee is one that is created for a specific purpose. as soon as the purpose is accompalished, the committee stand dissolved. For example, if wages revision is due for the workers, the management may consitute a committee to study the various aspects of wage revision and make a report to it. As soon the committee submits its reports, it will stand dissolved.
Executive Committee
An executive committee is one that has powers to make important decisions for the enterprise.The borad of directors of the company has such decisive powers.
Adversory Committee
An adversory committee can only make suggestions. It does not have powers to make decisions.
Formal Committee
A formal committeeis one that is consititudes as per the rules and policies of the organisation. It has hirearchy. It functions acording to the line of authority.
Informal Committee
An informal committee is one that is not consitituted as per the rules and policies of the organisation. Such a committee is the outcome of infoemal meetings of the workers to discuss there work-related problems.
common problem, each mamber puts forth his views that are heard by others. It is, therefore, possible for an individual to understand the problem of another. 3. The committee members feels motivated when they participate in an discussions. As a results, the implement the decision with the same level of enthusiasm with which they made it. 4. By acommodating diverse interest groups, the committee functions as a democatic rganisation. For example, a comittee constituted in a business establishment may have representatives of both the management and the workers. 5. Problems that cannot be sloved by an individual will have to be referred to a committee. As a committee has intellecturals drawn fron different spheres, it will able to find the solution easily. 6. The committe is also use as a tool to postpone decision on certain sensitive issues. The drawbacks of the committee are as follows : 1. Constituting a committee is a expensive affair. the committe members have to paid remuneration for they work. They have to paid dearness allowance and travelling allowance each time a meeting is organised. 2. The committee members take more time on discussion and delibarations and as a result the decision gets delayed. The delay, in many cases, may defeat the very purpose for which the committe has been constituted. 3. To reach a consensus among the members is often a difficult task. With a view of satisfying every member, a compromise decision may be made, sometimes, at the last minutes. 4. There may be also a tendency on the part of some influential members in the committee to thrust their views on others. 5. There is no fixed responsibility on any member of the committee for the outcome of its decision. It the decision turns out to be failure, no individuals will come forward to take the blame. 6. The committee may often be constitituted withoput the intension to provide any kind of a relief to the aggrieved persons. The idea is to avoid decision on an important issue. It is for this reason that the committe is seen as a group of unfits, unwillingly, engaged to do the unnecessary.
The following measures may be taken to make committe more effective : 1. The committe must have a capable leader. The chairman of the committe must be an intellenctual. He must be able to conduct the proceedings well. He must be good in the art of securing effective co-ordination among the members. 2. The committe must not have to many members. For the committe to do its job effectively, the number of member should be restricted to five or six. 3. While selecting the members, due weightage must be given to the individuals ability, commitment to work, honesty and integrity. 4. The agenda for the meeting should be prepared well in advance and sent to every member. This would enable him to equip himself better. 5. The proceedings of the meeting should be carefully recorded in the minute book. 6. Every member of the committee should be informed of the action taken on the recommendation of the committee. 7. The committee expenses must be subjected to proper audit. This would ensure that there is no misuse of funds.
Project Organisation
The concept of the project organisation became popular particularly after world war II. It may be successfully adopted if it is necessry to manage a small number of large project. each project team has specialists in different flelds. The project manager would co-ordinate the activities of tyhe team members. The specimen of the project organisation is given below :
General Manager
Quality Control
Accounts
Engineering
R&D
Matrix Organisation
Matrix organisation is considered suitable for a large number of small project will have to managed. A ,atrix organisation is also known as 'Multiple Command System' as it has two chains of command i.e., the flow of authority is vertical as well as horozontal. Separate departments are established for each specified task. But these departments have to share the resources with the rest of the organisation and cannot claim any excusive right. The specimen of a matrix organisation is given below :
General Manager
Manager- R&D
ManagerPersonnel
R&D Group
R&D Group
3. Quick decision may not be possible in such a pattern of organisation in view of the conplex relationship that exists. 4. It also gives scope for conflicts among the personnel and as a result, the execution of the project may get delayed.