Managers and the Management Process

What is the role of managers?

Managers directly supervise, support, and activate others’ work efforts to achieve performance goals of individuals, teams, and organisations.

What is the function of governing boards?

Boards of directors are elected by shareholders to represent ownership interests and ensure the organisation is being run properly.

Who do top managers report to?

A board of directors in a business or a board of trustees in a not-for-profit organisation.

What are the responsibilities of top managers?

Responsible for overall organisational performance, monitoring external trends, setting strategies, shaping internal culture, and leading towards success.

What qualities define effective top managers?

Future-oriented, socially aware, and capable of making good decisions amid uncertainty and competition.

Who do middle managers report to?

Top managers.

What are the responsibilities of middle managers?

Oversee large departments or divisions, coordinate between teams, communicate goals, gather and share information, and monitor results.

Who are examples of middle managers?

Deans in universities.

Who do first-line managers report to, and what do they do?

Report to middle managers, lead small teams, and are responsible for the performance of others.

What is corporate governance?

The use of structures, rules, processes, and oversight to hold an organisation and its people accountable for their actions.

What does accountability mean in management?

The requirement to answer to a higher authority for performance in one’s area of responsibility.

What is the relationship between accountability and dependency?

Managers are accountable to higher levels but also dependent on others to complete required work.

What defines an effective manager?

Someone who helps others achieve both high performance and satisfaction in their work.

What is Quality of Work Life (QWL)?

The overall quality of human experiences in the workplace, where employees feel respected, fairly paid, safe, and valued.

How should modern managers act?

As coaches and supporters rather than order-givers.

What is the focus of frontline workers?

Interacting directly with customers and producing products or services.

What is the focus of team leaders and managers?

Helping others to serve the organisation’s customers.

What is the focus of top managers?

Clarifying missions, crafting strategies, setting culture, leading by example, and removing performance barriers.

What are the four management functions?

Planning, Organising, Leading, and Controlling.

Planning.

Setting performance objectives and determining actions to achieve them.

Organising

Assigning tasks, allocating resources, and coordinating activities to put plans into action.

Controlling

Measuring performance, comparing results to objectives, and taking corrective action

Leading

Inspiring enthusiasm and commitment to achieve plans and objectives.

What are the three sets of managerial roles identified by Henry Mintzberg?

Informational, Interpersonal, and Decisional roles

What are informational roles?

Involve giving, receiving, and analysing information.

What are interpersonal roles?

Involve interactions with people inside and outside the work unit.

What are decisional roles?

Using information to make decisions, solve problems, or seize opportunities.

What is agenda setting?

Identifying clear action priorities and recognising opportunities to advance them

What is networking?

Building positive relationships that help managers achieve goals

What is social capital?

The capacity to attract support and get things done through relationships.

What are Robert Katz’s three essential managerial skills?

Technical, Human, and Conceptual skills.

What are technical skills?

The ability to perform specialised tasks proficiently; crucial at lower management levels.

What are human skills?

The ability to work well with others, supported by emotional intelligence.

What are conceptual skills?

The ability to think critically and analytically, seeing patterns, connections, and implications.

What is lifelong learning?

Continuously learning from daily experiences, requiring self-awareness and learning agility.

What is globalisation?

Worldwide interdependence of resources, products, and competition.

What is global sourcing?

Buying goods and services globally to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

What is a global supply chain?

The worldwide network of sourcing, producing, and distributing goods and services.

What is job migration?

The shifting of jobs from one country to another for cost efficiency.

What is reshoring?

Bringing jobs back from overseas to domestic locations.

What is ethics in management?

A code of moral principles defining what is right or wrong.

What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?

Acting ethically in the interests of all stakeholders and acknowledging responsibility to society.

What is workforce diversity?

The mix of differences such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion, and ability within a workforce.

What is the glass ceiling effect?

An invisible barrier preventing diverse employees from advancing to higher levels.

What is the leaky pipeline problem?

When well-qualified diverse employees leave career paths due to bias or barriers.

What is prejudice?

Holding negative, irrational attitudes toward people who are different.

What is discrimination?

Acting on prejudice to treat people unfairly or deny opportunities.

What is implicit bias?

Unconscious prejudice that influences decisions and behaviour without awareness.

Who are knowledge workers?

Employees whose minds, creativity, and insight are key assets to the organisation.

What is Tech IQ?

The ability to use technology effectively and stay updated as it evolves.

What is analytical competency?

The ability to interpret data to make informed decisions and solve problems.

What is big data?

Vast amounts of data used to reduce costs, predict trends, and improve business performance

What is self-management?

Assessing and managing your personal development by recognising strengths and weaknesses.

What is SWOT analysis in career planning?

Identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to guide career decisions.