Management is simply the skilled and technical processes by which managers

get organizational tasks accomplished through planning, mobilization,

organizing, staffing, directing and controlling of subordinate staff and
resources in order to achieve the overall objectives and vision of an
organization in an effective and efficient manner. However according to Henri
Mintzberg management can be defined as the process by which a manager
assumes interpersonal, informational and decisional roles to guide
subordinates or human and physical capital to enhance attainment of
organizational objectives. Certainly Management definitions vary from different
scholars and thinkers.
This essay aims at illustrating the various levels of management in an
organization and their roles, the functional processes of management, the
benefits of management to the organization and the wider economy,
characteristics of management principles and how they enhance
organization management. Written by: Andrew kiggundu
Levels of management refer to divisions or chain of command among different
managerial positions within an organization unique in authority, power,
jurisdiction and status responsible for the day today operation and long term
vision and goals of an organization.

Top-Level management
This level of management is occupied by the company board of directors, Chief
Executive officer (CEO), company president, vice-president, Chief Operations
Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO); the company Board of Directors.
This division of management is responsible for controlling the overall strategic
nature of the organization. Managers in this category are often industry experts
having close association with the long term vision of the organization. Top-level
managerial tasks are often high-risk high return roles in nature. Top
management is the ultimate source of power and authority accountable to
share holders and the general public. They perform the following roles and
responsibilities
They prepare the overall objectives, strategic goals, plans and policies of the
organization. For example One of the key responsibilities of Tim Cook the CEO
of Apple Inc, is planning the company’s strategic business objectives in the
technology industry by coming up with an effective business plan blueprint by
evaluating the current levels of profitability with the board of management. Tim
cook is mandated to oversee and approve or reject proposals from
Departmental heads at Apple Inc in order to ensure that only those coherent
and valuable to the long and short term objectives of the organization are
identified and given priority (Gehrke & Claes, 2017)

They make strategic corporate objectives for the organization. Tim Cook is for
example a major and crucial representative of Apple in all its corporate entities
who represents its business corporate image in both domestic and
international markets. He represents the company during public events such
global conferences, product launches that promote Apple’s products and
services in both local and international markets (Warrick, 2017). Elon musk the
CEO of Tesla Inc represents the organization in all its corporate entities. He
represents the firm’s corporate image in domestic and global markets and his
high profile image is very valuable during public events of the firm.

Top level management creates broad strategic alliances and plans on behalf of
the organizations they lead. On the 6 th of November 2019 the President and
chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AES Andrés Gluski announced that AES had
entered into a Ten year strategic alliance with Google Inc to hasten the growth
and adoption of clean energy by use of Google Cloud technology. He announced
that by combining capabilities of both companies the company would provide
cleaner, more effective and efficient energy solutions, increase customer
satisfaction and cut down carbon emissions.

They also have the primary responsibility of protecting the organization’s assets
and investments; this may include the company’s plant, equipment,
information and technology, finances and facilities, human capital (employees
of the organization). They have the responsibility for distributing and disposing
of profits to respective share holders or towards corporate social responsibility,
this is especially true to organization’s board of Directors. For example at
Santen Inc dividend payout levels are determined by the Board of Directors for
the interim dividend and by the General Meetings of Shareholders for the year-
end dividend.

Middle-Level management is in the middle of organizational hierarchy

answerable and accountable to top- level management but above lower-level
management. This may include branch managers, departmental managers,
and operational supervisors. Middle management is primarily concerned with
the smooth and standard operation of their respective departments in line with
organizational goals and targets. They have the following responsibilities
They ensure the fulfillment of Departmental overall targets and goals in line
with organizational objectives. For example departmental managers at WalMart
Inc are responsible for growing department sales and meeting performance
goals.
Discussing information and policies to lower-level management from top level
management
They perform the functional duties of staffing, directing and coordination of
their respective departments to ensure smooth operation. Department Heads
at walmart may conduct interviews to meet staffing demands of their
departments.
Middle managers provide accountability to top management for their
department’s function. They therefore provide guidance to lower-level managers
and inspire them to perform optimally so as to meet departmental goals in line
with top management expectations. Department managers at walmart are
responsible for fostering a positive work environment by leading by example.

Lower- level management. This division or branch of management is arguably

responsible for day to day operations in direct contact with ground employees
with constant supervision to ensure smooth operation. This division of
management enjoys minimal authority and status compared to other divisions
of management. This may include supervisors, sectional officers. They occupy
the role of assigning tasks to employees, providing technical support, meeting
both quality and quantity standards, providing constant feedback about
employee welfare to middle management.

Originally identified by a French mining engineer by the name of Henri Fayol

there are now four accepted functions of management that include planning,
organizing, leading, and controlling.
Planning is one of the primary roles of managers. It involves setting the
objectives to be achieved and the consequent standard of action to achieve
them. It relays on the manager’s ability to visualize and conceptualize the
future of an organization, setting realistic time lines and standards of
operation.
Organizing. Consequently after laying out the plan the manager needs to
provide the business with the necessary resources required for it to function.
At this stage the manager is required to come up with the required human,
financial and physical capital necessary to achieving the planned out objectives

Staffing. One of the greatest assets of an organization is its human resource or

human capital. Selecting the right employees for the job is highly crucial as
without it the organization is not able to function.
Controlling.  Koontz and O’Donnell defined controlling “as the measurement
and correction of the performance of activities of subordinates in order to make
sure that enterprise’s objectives and the plans devised to attain them are being
accomplished.”
Characteristics of management.

Management is goal oriented. Management will always aim at achieving

organizational objectives. For example if the organization has a goal of selling
20,000 cars for the first quarter it’s up to management to plan and act on an
appropriate course of action
Management is extensive as it is no restricted to business firms only.
Management is applicable not only to profit making institutions but also non-
profits organizations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
Government agencies such as the military for example the united states coast
Guard, schools, clubs
Management is a continuous process as it is never ending. Managers have to
continuously perform managerial functions of planning, organizing, staffing
and control to continuously achieve the objectives of dynamic institutions.

Management is a group activity as managers have to be part of a team to get

work done, managers do not work in isolation as individuals, they are team
leaders and players involving activities such as delegating work to organization
employees to accomplish tasks and contribute towards the achievement overall
goals and vision within an organization

Management is dynamic as managers have to constantly change institutional

goals, objectives and course of action to the ever changing external
environment influenced by economical, political and economic factors

Management balances effectiveness and efficiency. Effectiveness refers to

achieving targets and objectives in time while efficiency refers to best utilization
of resources. This means achieving company objectives in the best optimal
manner

Management uses authority. Managers should have enough authority to foster

a culture of accountability. Managers use their authority status to enable them
perform managerial functions of staffing, controlling, organizing, coordinating
and planning.
Management fosters the smooth productions of various goods and services
which fosters the profitability to share holders
Through management there is increased efficiency towards production of goods
and services through team work of different experts involved in the
organization.
Management fosters the achievement of personal goals as individual
contributions towards company objectives are rewarded in terms of salary,
wages, bonuses, and promotions
Management contributes o national economic development. Through
production of goods and services it contributes to growth of gross Domestic
Product, payment of taxes, employment opportunities hence contributing
towards national economic development
Management brings harmony at work as without it the organizations runs into
chaos and confusion. By giving directions managers bring a sense of purpose
and harmony in the action of employees hence creating a culture of
accountability.
Management is arguably the single most relevant aspect of human life. Without
it human nature would turn into total chaos, business communities would
never get anything done, production would never come to fruition, nations and
states would not exist, families would never form, human life would be
marginalized without sufficient smooth healthcare systems.
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Henderson, R., Sutherland, J., & Turley, S. (2000). Management development in small business: A
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Chand, s,. Importance of Management for an Organization

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