Introduction to Management and Organizations

Study Notes

A manager is someone who coordinates and oversees the work of other people to accomplish organizational goals.
Managers differ from non-managerial employees in that they are responsible for overseeing the work of others.
Managers can be classified into three categories:
- First-line managers: manage non-managerial employees
- Middle managers: manage first-line managers
- Top managers: responsible for organization-wide decisions and establishing plans and goals

Management involves coordinating and overseeing the work activities of others to achieve efficiency and effectiveness.
Efficiency is about "doing things right" and getting the most output for the least inputs.
Effectiveness is about "doing the right things" and attaining organizational goals.

Managers perform four functions:
- Planning: defining goals, establishing strategies, and developing plans
- Organizing: arranging and structuring work to achieve goals
- Leading: working with and through people to accomplish goals
- Controlling: monitoring, comparing, and correcting work
Managers play various roles, including:
- Interpersonal roles (figurehead, leader, liaison)
- Informational roles (monitor, disseminator, spokesperson)
- Decisional roles (entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator, negotiator)
Managers need three types of skills:
- Technical skills: knowledge and proficiency in a specific field
- Human skills: ability to work well with other people
- Conceptual skills: ability to think and conceptualize about abstract and complex situations

The manager's job is changing due to the increasing importance of customers and innovation.
Customer service and innovation are essential for survival and growth.

An organization is a deliberate arrangement of people to accomplish a specific purpose.
Organizations have common characteristics, including:
- A distinct purpose (goal)
- Composed of people
- A deliberate structure

Studying management is valuable because:
- Good management is needed in all organizations
- Employees either manage or are managed
- Management offers challenging, exciting, and creative opportunities for meaningful and fulfilling work.