Discuss the Managers Role in an Organization a Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Understand who a manager is in an organization and the several roles accorded to him
- Understand the different functions and responsibilities of managers in various types of organizations, such as planning, organizing, etc
- Understand the impact of managers on the performance of an organization
1.0 INTRODUCTION
What is Management?
According to Terry and Franklin (1953), management refers to a distinct process consisting of activities such as planning, organizing, and controlling, performed to attain and accomplish set goals and objectives with the use of human labor and other resources.
In the same way, Drucker (1954) defines management as a multipurpose organ that manages a business, managers, workers, and work. Management of an organization is entirely about using the available resources through appropriate planning and organization.
In society, everyone is a manager at one point in time This can be done through managing a home, workplace, etc. all the efforts put into managing something aim at achieving an intended goal and objective. According to Naylor (2004), management comprises five elements namely; planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling.
The Role of a Manager
Manager’s roles have changed from time to time. In organizations today, the role of managers has shifted from the generic roles of planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling that was put across by ”Fayol” (1916). However, this role cannot be ignored. It is noteworthy that managers play a very vital role in the growth and development of an organization of which whatever they do directly or indirectly affects the organization. Mintzberg (1973) noted that the manager’s role has become very complex.
Mintzberg (1973) proposed a framework to categorize the different functions that a manager performs in an organization. He identified ten managerial roles that can be grouped into three broad categories: interpersonal, informational, and decisional. These roles describe the behaviors and responsibilities of a manager in various situations and contexts.