chapter 7 questions

Describe the qualities of a manager for whom you would like to work someday.

Organized, time efficient, good listener, cooperative, kind, good communication, and respectful.

Give reasons for working within either a formal or an informal business structure.

A formal business structure divides responsibility among units or departments. This allows for a very organized, structured business. Everything gets done because someone has been assigned to the task. In an informal business structure, employees are more flexible because there's no need for a lot of them. This allows for employees to either work together or work alone.

Why might a manager decide to change an informally structured organization into a formally structured one?

A manager might decide to change an informally structured organization into a formally structured one so that all the tasks that need to get done, are completed. A manager might have more employees, so they need a more structured business environment.

One problem with line and staff authority as compared to line authority is that some line and staff managers tend to overanalyze a problem. Why might that happen?

Because it shows who advises who and this might lead to overthinking. Also enables managers to get advice. It also leads to overstaffing.

Suppose top-level management decides how to produce and market a new product. Do you think the plans might change during the organizing, leading, and controlling stages?

I think that it would change the most in organizing because it seems to be the stage where you use logic and rational to get things done.

Identify the differences between management structures.

Line authority shows a structure where managers are on one level and in charge of those beneath them. Line and staff authority shows a direct line of authority. Centralized organizational puts authority in one place.

Describe the overall purpose of management.

Management helps businesses focus on setting and meeting goals efficiently and effectively so that a profit can be made.

Discuss the four functions of management.

Planning is the act or process of creating goals and objectives as well as the strategies to meet them. Organizing is getting the resources arranged in an orderly and functional way to accomplish goals and objectives. Leading means providing direction and vision. Controlling the operation means keeping the company on track and making sure goals are met.

Why do you think it is a good idea for workers to have more decision-making duties and provide input to managers?

So that managers can see what is effective for their business and what is ineffective. Workers can also experience a more independent role in their workplace- this allows for a learning experience for them. What decisions they make effects how their business runs and works.

Name six skills necessary for effective management.

Task-oriented, keep accurate business records, good under pressure, good problem solving, good communication, and good listener.

Some people believe that the planning function is the most important one for a manager. Why might that be true?

The planning function is definitely one of the most important functions. For a person to be a good manager, they must be able to plan things in an organized and timely fashion. Without this trait, the manager would never get things done and everything would be unorganized.

Since companies are using fewer middle managers, how have the jobs of top-level management and operational managers changed?

They have to be more involved to manage the lower ranked workers.