The Top 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 –
a. Top management lays down the
objectives and broad policies of the enterprise.
b. It issues necessary instructions for
preparation of department budgets, procedures, schedules etc.
c. It prepares strategic plans &
policies for the enterprise.
d. It appoints the executive for middle
level i.e. departmental managers.
e. It controls & coordinates the
activities of all the departments.
f. It is also responsible for
maintaining a contact with the outside world.
g. It provides guidance and direction.
h. The top management is also responsible
towards the shareholders for the performance of the enterprise.
Middle Level 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 –
a. They execute the plans of the
organization in accordance with the policies and directives of the top
management.
b. They make plans for the sub-units of
the organization.
c. They participate in employment &
training of lower level management.
d. They interpret and explain policies
from top level management to lower level.
e. They are responsible for coordinating
the activities within the division or department.
f. It also sends important reports and
other important data to top level management.
g. They evaluate performance of junior
managers.
h. They are also responsible for
inspiring lower level managers towards better performance.
Lower Level 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
a. Assigning of jobs and tasks to
various workers.
b. They guide and instruct workers for
day to day activities.
c. They are responsible for the quality
as well as quantity of production.
d. They are also entrusted with the
responsibility of maintaining good relation in the organization.
e. They communicate workers problems, suggestions,
and recommendatory appeals etc to the higher level and higher level goals and
objectives to the workers.
f. They help to solve the grievances of
the workers.
g. They supervise & guide the
sub-ordinates.
h. They are responsible for providing
training to the workers.
i. They arrange necessary materials,
machines, tools etc for getting the things done.
j. They prepare periodical reports about
the performance of the workers.
k. They ensure discipline in the
enterprise.
l. They motivate workers.
m. They are the image builders of the
enterprise because they are in direct contact with the workers.
