Notes of Organizational Behaviour Unit-1
Notes of Organizational Behaviour Unit-1
INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT
Management is a universal phenomenon. It is a very popular and widely used term. All
organizations, business, political, cultural or social are involved in management because it is the
management that helps and directs the various efforts towards a definite purpose.
Management is the process of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling resources (human, financial,
material, and informational) efficiently and effectively to achieve organizational goals. It involves
decision-making, coordinating efforts, and utilizing available resources to optimize productivity and
success.
Definition: “Management is known exactly what you want men to do and then seeing that they
do it the best and cheapest ways”.
-F.W.Taylor
“Management is an art of getting things done through and with the people in formally organized
groups. It is an art of creating an environment in which people can perform and individuals and
can cooperate towards attainment of group goals”.
Koontz and O’Donell
Nature of Management
Characteristics of Management:
Management is an activity concerned with guiding human and physical resources such that
organizational goals can be achieved. Nature of management can be highlighted as: -
FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT
According to Henry Fayol, “To manage is to forecast and plan, to organize, to command, & to
control”. Whereas Luther Gullick has given a keyword ’POSDCORB’ where P stands for
Planning, O for Organizing, S for Staffing, D for Directing, Co for Co-ordination, R for
reporting & B for Budgeting. But the most widely accepted are functions of management given
by Koontz and O’Donnel i.e. Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing and Controlling.
But the most widely accepted are functions of management given by Koontz and O’Donnel i.e.
Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing and Controlling.
Planning
It is the basic function of management. It deals with chalking out a future course of action &
deciding in advance the most appropriate course of actions for achievement of pre-determined
goals. According to KOONTZ, “Planning is deciding in advance - what to do, when to do &
how to do. It bridges the gap from where we are & where we want to be”. A plan is a future
course of actions. It is an exercise in problem solving & decision making. Planning is
determination of courses of action to achieve desired goals. Thus, planning is a systematic
thinking about ways & means for accomplishment of pre-determined goals. Planning is
necessary to ensure proper utilization of human & non-human resources. It is all pervasive, it is
an intellectual activity and it also helps in avoiding confusion, uncertainties, risks, wastages etc.
Organizing
It is the process of bringing together physical, financial and human resources and developing
productive relationship amongst them for achievement of organizational goals. According to
Henry Fayol, “To organize a business is to provide it with everything useful or its functioning
i.e. raw material, tools, capital and personnel’s”. To organize a business involves determining &
providing human and non-human resources to the organizational structure. Organizing as a
process involves:
⮚ Identification of activities.
⮚ Classification of grouping of activities.
⮚ Assignment of duties.
⮚ Delegation of authority and creation of responsibility.
⮚ Coordinating authority and responsibility relationships.
Staffing
It is the function of manning the organization structure and keeping it manned. Staffing has
assumed greater importance in the recent years due to advancement of technology, increase in
size of business, complexity of human behavior etc. The main purpose o staffing is to put right
man on right job i.e. square pegs in square holes and round pegs in round holes. According to
Kootz & O’Donell, “Managerial function of staffing involves manning the organization structure
through proper and effective selection, appraisal & development of personnel to fill the roles
designed un the structure”. Staffing involves:
⮚ Manpower Planning (estimating man power in terms of searching, choose the person and
giving the right place).
⮚ Recruitment, Selection & Placement.
⮚ Remuneration.
⮚ Performance Appraisal.
⮚ Promotions & Transfer.
Directing
It is that part of the managerial function that actuates the organizational methods to work
efficiently for the achievement of organizational purposes. It is considered the life-spark of the
enterprise which sets it in motion the action of people because planning, organizing and staffing
are the mere preparations for doing the work. Direction is the inert-personnel aspect of
management which deals directly with influencing, guiding, supervising, and motivating
subordinates for the achievement of organizational goals. Direction has following elements:
⮚ Supervision
⮚ Motivation
⮚ Leadership
⮚ Communication
Supervision- implies overseeing the work of subordinates by their superiors. It is the act of
watching & directing work & workers.
Motivation- means inspiring, stimulating or encouraging the subordinates with zeal to work.
Positive, negative, monetary, and non-monetary incentives may be used for this purpose.
Leadership- may be defined as a process by which manager guides and influences the work of
subordinates in desired direction.
Communications- is the process of passing information, experience, opinion etc from one
person to another. It is a bridge of understanding.
Controlling
It implies measurement of accomplishment against the standards and correction of deviation if
any to ensure achievement of organizational goals. The purpose of controlling is to ensure that
everything occurs in conformities with the standards. An efficient system of control helps to
predict deviations before they actually occur. According to Theo Haimann, “Controlling is the
process of checking whether or not proper progress is being made towards the objectives and
goals and acting if necessary, to correct any deviation”. According to Koontz & O’Donell
“Controlling is the measurement & correction of performance activities of subordinates in order
to make sure that the enterprise objectives and plans desired to obtain them as being
accomplished”. Therefore controlling has following steps:Establishment of standard
performance.
⮚ Measurement of actual performance.
⮚ Comparison of actual performance with the standards and finding out deviation if any.
⮚ Corrective action.
Levels of Management
The term “Levels of Management’ refers to a line of demarcation between various managerial
positions in an organization. The number of levels in management increases when the size of the
business and work force increases and vice versa. The level of management determines a chain
of command, the amount of authority & status enjoyed by any managerial position. The levels of
management can be classified in three broad categories:
Managers at all these levels perform different functions. The role of managers at all the three
levels is discussed below:
LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT
Top Level of Management
It consists of board of directors, chief executive or managing director. The top management is
the ultimate source of authority and it manages goals and policies for an enterprise. It devotes
more time on planning and coordinating functions.
The role of the top management can be summarized as follows -Top management lays down the
objectives and broad policies of the enterprise.
⮚ It issues necessary instructions for preparation of department budgets, procedures,
schedules etc.
⮚ It prepares strategic plans & policies for the enterprise.
⮚ It appoints the executive for middle level i.e. departmental managers.
⮚ It controls & coordinates the activities of all the departments.
⮚ It is also responsible for maintaining contact with the outside world.
⮚ It provides guidance and direction.
⮚ The top management is also responsible to the shareholders for the performance of the
enterprise.
⮚ They execute the plans of the organization by the policies and directives of the top
management.
⮚ They make plans for the sub-units of the organization.
⮚ They participate in employment & training of lower-level management.
⮚ They interpret and explain policies from top level management to lower level.
⮚ They are responsible for coordinating the activities within the division or department.
⮚ It also sends important reports and other important data to top level management.
⮚ They evaluate performance of junior managers.
⮚ They are also responsible for inspiring lower level managers towards better performance.
⮚ They are responsible for the quality as well as quantity of production. They are also
entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining good relations in the organization.
⮚ They communicate workers' problems, suggestions, and recommendatory appeals, etc to
the higher level and higher level goals and objectives to the workers.
⮚ They help to solve the grievances of the workers.
⮚ They supervise & guide the sub-ordinates.
⮚ They are responsible for providing training to the workers.
⮚ They arrange necessary materials, machines, tools etc for getting things done.
⮚ They prepare periodical reports about the performance of the workers.
⮚ They ensure discipline in the enterprise.
⮚ They motivate workers.
⮚ They are the image builders of the enterprise because they are in direct contact with the
workers.
Skills and Roles of Management
Managerial Skills
To effectively perform their duties, managers require a combination of technical, human, and conceptual
skills. These skills vary in importance based on the level of management (top, middle, or lower level).
A. Types of Managerial Skills
1. Technical Skills
o The ability to use specific knowledge, techniques, and tools related to a particular field
(e.g., accounting, engineering, marketing).
o More important for lower-level managers who directly supervise operational tasks.
2. Human (Interpersonal) Skills
o The ability to work effectively with individuals and teams, including communication,
motivation, and conflict resolution.
o Critical for all levels of management, especially middle managers who act as a bridge
between top and lower levels.
3. Conceptual Skills
o The ability to understand complex situations, analyze problems, and develop strategies.
o Essential for top-level managers who make strategic decisions and long-term plans.
Conclusion
Managers require a blend of technical, human, and conceptual skills to perform their duties efficiently.
They also play various roles, including interpersonal, informational, and decisional functions, to ensure
smooth operations and organizational success.
Scope of Management
The scope of management refers to the areas and functions where management principles and
practices are applied. Management is required in every type of organization, from businesses to
non-profits, and in every sector, including education, healthcare, and government.
Importance of Management
1. Achieves Organizational Goals
✅ Management sets objectives, develops strategies, and ensures that employees work toward
common goals.
✅ Example: A company like Apple effectively manages innovation and production to maintain
its leadership in the tech industry.
✅ Management optimizes resources (human, financial, and material) to reduce costs and improve
productivity.
✅ Example: Toyota uses lean management techniques to minimize waste and maximize
production efficiency.
✅ Good management fosters teamwork, provides incentives, and ensures a positive work culture.
✅ Example: Google’s management practices encourage creativity and employee satisfaction
through a flexible work environment.
✅ Managers analyze data, assess risks, and make informed decisions that benefit the
organization.
✅ Example: Amazon’s strategic decision to invest in AI and automation has enhanced its
logistics and customer experience.
6. Contributes to Economic Growth
✅ Well-managed organizations create jobs, generate wealth, and boost national economies.
✅ Example: The management of multinational companies like Tesla contributes to global
economic development.
✅ Effective management ensures high-quality products and services, leading to customer loyalty.
✅ Example: Starbucks maintains high customer service standards by training employees
effectively.
4. Functions:
Management: Involves planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling operations.
Administration: Involves policy-making, goal-setting, and overall strategic planning.
5. Decision-Making:
Management: Takes operational decisions (short-term, practical execution).
Administration: Takes strategic decisions (long-term, organization-wide impact).
Example:
In a company, managers ensure that employees meet sales targets, improve efficiency, and
follow guidelines, while the administrators (CEO, board members) set policies, define company
vision, and make key business decisions.
In a school, teachers and principals handle day-to-day management, while the education board or
government officials set policies and long-term educational goals.
6. Key Difference in Approach:
Management: Works within the policies set by administration.
Administration: Creates policies that management follows.
Conclusion:
Management is about execution, while administration is about formulation and decision-making. Both
are crucial for an organization's success, but administration sets the direction and management ensures it
is followed.
Example:
In a business, management ensures that employees perform their duties efficiently to meet
production goals, whereas administration (CEO, board members) decides the company's
expansion strategy and policies.
In a university, management includes the principal, deans, and faculty who implement policies,
while administration refers to the governing body that sets educational policies and regulations.
4. Nature of Work
Factor Management Administration
Work Concerned with day-to-day operations and Concerned with setting policies, regulations,
Factor Management Administration
Nature managing staff. and business direction.
Skills Technical and leadership skills (problem- Analytical and strategic skills (policy-
Required solving, communication, team management). making, financial planning, governance).