Chapter 1: Intro to Management Flashcards
(48 cards)
Why study management?
- To improve the way organizations are managed
- To build your management skills and abilities
- To understand the way your bosses and co-workers behave and how organizations function
What is management?
Coordinating work activities so that they are completed efficiently and effectively with and through other people
What do poorly managed organizations lead to?
A declining customer base and reduced revenues
What is management responsible for?
Being efficient and effective
What is efficiency?
Doing a task correctly. Getting the most output from the least amount of inputs, the goal of which is to minimize resource costs
Why is efficiency important?
Because managers deal with scarce inputs (i.e. people, money, and equipment). They are concerned with the efficient use of resources by getting things done at the least cost
What is effectiveness?
Doing the right things. Completing activities so that organizational goals are achieved
What is the difference between efficiency and effectiveness?
Efficiency is about ways to get things done. Effectiveness deals with achieving organizational goals
Why does poor management occur?
Poor management is often due to both inefficiency and ineffectiveness or due to effectiveness achieved through inefficiency
What is a manager?
Someone who works with and through other people by coordinating their work activities to accomplish organizational goals
- A manager’s job is not about personal achievement - it is about helping others do their work and achieve results
- Management is a learned talent rather than something that comes naturally
Why are good managers important?
- Organizations need their skills and abilities
- They’re critical to get things done
- They play a crucial role in employee satisfaction and engagement
- Many non managerial jobs now include managerial activities
What are examples of a manager’s responsibilities?
- Coordinating the work of a department group
- Leading an organization
- Supervising people
- Coordinating work activities
Why are the three specific categories to describe what managers do?
- Functions
- Roles
- Skills
What is an organization?
A deliberate arrangement of people who act together to accomplish some specific purpose
e.g. Camosun, Lego, Samsung
What are the three characteristics that organizations share?
- Goals: Each organization has a distinct purpose (a goal or set of goals)
- People: Each organization is composed of people working together
- Structure: Each organization has a structure that defines and limits the behaviour of its people
What are non managerial employees?
People who have no responsibility of overseeing the work of others
i.e. associates, team members, contributors
What can managers be classified as?
Top manager, middle manager, first-line manger, team leaders
What are top managers?
Managers at or near the top level of the organization, who are responsible for making decisions and establishing the plans and goals that affect the entire organization
e.g. President, CEO
What are middle managers?
Managers between the first-line level and the top level of the organization who manage the work of first-level managers
- They are responsible for translating the goals set by top managers into specific details that lower-level managers will see get done
e.g. Department head, store manager
What are lower-level managers?
Managers at the lowest level of the organization who manage the work of nonmanagerial employees directly or indirectly involved with the production or creation of the organization’s products
What are first-line managers?
Individuals responsible for directing the daily activities of nonmanagerial employees
e.g. Supervisors, Shift or Office Managers
What are team leaders?
Individuals who are responsible for managing and facilitating the activities of a work term
What is the difference between top level and lower-level managers in terms of what they do?
Top managers are concerned with designing the overall organizational structure, whereas lower-level managers focus on designing the jobs of individuals and work-groups
Do all organizations follow the traditional pyramidal form?
No. Some organizations are more flexible and loosely structured.
