The five functions of management - Essay Example

? Lesson Assignment The five functions of management Planning refers to the ability to forecast future conditions, setting of objectives and developing the necessary mechanisms to achieve these objectives. Effective planning must take into consideration unexpected contingencies that might arise. The plan should not be rigid and inflexible but should be dynamic and accommodative (French, Rayner and Rees 12-25). Organizing refers to the establishment of internal organizational structure of the organization. This is done in order to enable division, coordination and control of tasks and the flow of information within the organization. This function enables the managers to distribute authority to individual job holders or other employees (Martin and Fellenz 1-75). Controlling can be seen as a four step process of establishing performance standards based on the company’s mission and objectives, measuring and reporting of actual performance, comparing the two and taking of other corrective or preventive actions that may be deemed necessary to solve a particular problem. The main purpose of controlling is to identify deviations from the objectives and taking corrective action (French, Rayner and Rees 12-25). Directing refers to the ability to influence people’s behavior through the motivation, communication, group dynamics, leadership and discipline. The aim of directing is to channel the behavior of all the personnel to accomplish the organization’s mission and objectives while at the same time helping them accomplish their own career objectives (French, Rayner and Rees 12-25). Staffing is filling and keeping filled with qualified people all the positions in the business. Some of the specific activities included in this function include recruiting, hiring, training, evaluating and compensating employees. In order to carry out this function properly a manger will liaise with the human resource department (French, Rayner and Rees 12-25).. Safety incentive programs The use of incentives has been seen as advantageous because they encourage and promote appropriate safe behavior among employees at the work place. It is a way that companies are able to demonstrate that they care for their employees and recognizes those who work safely. Secondly long term behavior can be changed through awareness and the provision of financial rewards for proper behavior and this will result in improved morale and reduced worker compensation costs. Third safety incentive programs reduce accidents at the work place as they encourage employees to work in safe conditions (Princhard). The disadvantages of safety incentive programs are that, first they do not obligate any changes in the existing processes or procedures. Accidents are generally as a combination of some unsafe conditions and therefore by giving employees rewards they try to minimize accidents but the sane processes are still in existence. Incentives also ignore reasons such that they deflect attention from real issues and can disguise genuine deficiencies, flaws or safety management process within the organization. Third incentives are based on a wrong assumption that is unsafe acts. They assume that accidents are intentional acts and that these incentives will cause employees to stop behaving improperly which is wrong (Princhard). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory is a theory of motivation that is used to explain the spectrum of human behavior. He proposed that motivation is a function of five basic needs – physiological, safety, love, esteem and self-actualization. He said that these categories are arranged in a hierarchy- that human needs emerge in a predictable stair-step fashion. When one need is satisfied another need up in the ladder emerges or is activated. The process continues until the need for self-actualization is activated (Harold Koontz 290-98). Physiological needs include the following: food, water, warmth, rest and shelter. Safety needs include the following: security in terms of jobs and the future, safety in terms of protection from physical and emotional harm. Belongingness and love needs include intimate relationships, company of friends, comradeship etc. Esteem needs include self-respect, feeling of personal worth and sense of autonomy. The last need is self-actualization and this involves attaining full potential of an individual. Being what they want to be by realizing their dreams (Harold Koontz 290-98). Fig. 1 Maslow’s hierarchy of Needs Model McClelland’s theory McClelland’s Need theory is based on three motives- the need for achievement, the need for affiliation and the need for power. The need for achievement is defined by the following desires: to accomplish something difficult: to master, manipulate or organize physical objects: To overcome obstacles and attain high standards, to excel oneself and to rival and surpass others. Achievement motivated people share three common characteristics: a preference for working on tasks with moderate difficulty, they desire more feedback on their successes and failures and lastly a preference for situations in which performance is due to their efforts rather than factors such as luck (Harold Koontz 305). People with a high need for affiliation prefer to spend more time in maintaining social relationships, joining groups and wanting to be loved. These people have a difficult time making decisions without worrying of how they will be perceived by others. They fear being disliked as a result of their decisions (Harold Koontz 305).. The need for power reflects an individual’s desire to influence coach teach or encourage others to achieve. These people like to work and are concerned with discipline and self-respect. There are two sides to this-the positive and the negative side. The positive orientation to power focuses on accomplishing group goals and helps others obtain the feeling of competence. The negative orientation is based on the mentality “I win and you lose” (Harold Koontz 305). Hazards The following are hazards identified at home: improper electrical wiring and frayed cords, loud noise generated by power generator and playing of music, steep stairs cases, insect bites from mosquitoes, bacteria found in the toilet, poor lighting conditions in the home as some bulbs are missing, poor design of chairs that cause strain on posture and leaking gas cylinder. There are several hazard control measures that can be applied in this home and they include ensuring correct wiring by looking for the services of a qualified electrician. This can be done within three days. Another measure is to buy silencers for the generator and this can be done in a day. For steep stairs, the design of the home has to be modified such that it is able to incorporate well designed stairs. This can take a maximum of three months. Insect bites and bacteria can be controlled by buying insecticides and toilet disinfectants this can be done in a day. Poor lighting can be corrected by installing new bulbs in areas that are missing and this can also be done in a day. Leaking gas can be replaced with a new gas cylinder immediately. The whole duration to effect these control measures may take up to three months. Works Cited French, Ray, et al. Organization Behavior. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2011. Harold Koontz, Heinz Weihrich. Essentials Of Management. New York: McGraw Hill, 2006. Martin, John and Martin Fellenz. Organizational Behavior and Management. New York: Cengage Learning, 2010. Princhard, Ron. Safety Incentive Programs: A Critical Assessment. 2001. 27 November 2011. Read More