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:
-
èTop level /
Administrative level
èMiddle level /
Executory
èLow level / Supervisory
/ Operative / First-line managers
Managers at all these levels perform different functions.
The role of managers at all the three levels is discussed below:
èTop 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 a contact with the
outside world.
·
It provides guidance and direction.
·
The top management is also responsible towards the
shareholders for the performance of the enterprise.
èMiddle Level of Management
The branch managers and departmental managers constitute
middle level. They are responsible to the top management for the functioning of
their department. They devote more time to organizational and directional
functions. In small organization, there is only one layer of middle level of
management but in big enterprises, there may be senior and junior middle level
management. Their role can be emphasized as -
·
They execute the plans of the organization in accordance
with 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.
èLower Level of Management
Lower level is also known as supervisory / operative level
of management. It consists of supervisors, foreman, section officers,
superintendent etc. According to R.C. Davis, “Supervisory management refers to
those executives whose work has to be largely with personal oversight and direction
of operative employees”. In other words, they are concerned with direction and
controlling function of management. Their activities include -
·
Assigning of jobs and tasks to various workers.
·
They guide and instruct workers for day to day activities.
·
They are responsible for the quality as well as quantity of
production.
·
They are also entrusted with the responsibility of
maintaining good relation 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 the 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.
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