INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT
(VERY IMPORTANT – concept base for whole paper)
1️⃣ Management – Meaning & Definition (Detailed)
🔹 Meaning of Management
Management is a systematic process of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling human and non-human resources to achieve organizational objectives efficiently and effectively.
It focuses on:
Getting work done through people
Optimum utilization of resources
Achieving predefined goals
🔹 Definitions of Management
“To manage is to forecast and plan, to organize, to command, to coordinate and to control.”
Peter F. Drucker
“Management is the art of getting things done through people.”
Koontz and O’Donnell
“Management is the creation and maintenance of an internal environment in an enterprise where individuals, working together in groups, can perform efficiently.”
📌 Exam Tip:
Write minimum two definitions + one line explanation.
2️⃣ Nature / Characteristics of Management (In Detail)
Management has the following important characteristics:
1. Goal-Oriented
Every organization has objectives
Management ensures these goals are achieved
2. Universal Process
Applicable in business, schools, hospitals, government
Same principles everywhere
3. Continuous Process
Management never stops
Planning → Organizing → Directing → Controlling → repeats
4. Group Activity
Involves coordinated efforts of people
Not an individual task
5. Dynamic Nature
Adapts to environmental changes
Responds to market, technology, competition
6. Intangible
Cannot be seen or touched
Measured through results (profit, growth, efficiency)
3️⃣ Functions of Management (VERY IMPORTANT)
🔹 1. Planning
Planning is deciding what to do, how to do, when to do, and who will do.
Steps in Planning:
Setting objectives
Developing premises
Identifying alternatives
Selecting best plan
Implementing plans
📌 Example: Business expansion plan
🔹 2. Organizing
Organizing is the process of arranging tasks, authority, and resources.
Key Activities:
Division of work
Departmentation
Coordination
🔹 3. Staffing
Staffing means placing the right person at the right job.
Process:
Manpower planning
Recruitment
Selection
Training
🔹 4. Directing
Directing involves guiding, motivating and supervising employees.
Includes:
Leadership
Motivation
Communication
Supervision
🔹 5. Controlling
Controlling ensures work is done as planned.
Steps:
Setting standards
Measuring performance
Comparing with standards
Corrective action
4️⃣ Process of Management
Management is a cyclic and integrated process.
Flow:
Planning → Organizing → Staffing → Directing → Controlling → Feedback
📌 Exam Diagram (Explain in words):
Planning is the base
Controlling links back to planning
5️⃣ Scope of Management (Detailed)
🔹 Functional Scope
Production management
Marketing management
HR management
🔹 Organizational Scope
Business enterprises
Government institutions
6️⃣ Importance / Significance of Management
Management is important because:
Achieves group goals
Increases efficiency
Reduces wastage
Ensures coordination
Improves employee morale
Helps in growth and expansion
📌 Frequently asked 5–10 mark question
7️⃣ Managerial Roles (Henry Mintzberg)
🔹 Interpersonal Roles
Figurehead – ceremonial duties
Leader – motivates employees
Liaison – maintains external contacts
🔹 Informational Roles
Monitor – collects information
Disseminator – shares information
Spokesperson – represents organization
🔹 Decisional Roles
Entrepreneur – initiates change
Disturbance handler – solves conflicts
Resource allocator – allocates resources
Negotiator – negotiates on behalf of firm
📌 Exam Tip: Always write in headings or table
8️⃣ Managerial Skills (Very Important)
🔹 1. Technical Skills
Job-specific knowledge
Needed most at lower level
🔹 2. Human Skills
Ability to work with people
Needed at all levels
🔹 3. Conceptual Skills
Ability to think strategically
Needed most at top level
📌 Level-wise Skill Requirement:
Level
Skill
Top
Conceptual
Middle
Human
Lower
Technical
9️⃣ Management vs Administration (Detailed Comparison)
Basis
Management
Administration
Level
Middle & lower
Top
Nature
Executive
Policy-making
Focus
Implementation
Decision
Scope
Narrow
Wider
📌 Write minimum 5 points in exams
🔟 Values and Ethics in Management
🔹 Values in Management
Integrity
Transparency
Accountability
Respect
🔹 Ethics in Management
Ethics refers to moral principles guiding managerial decisions.
Importance:
Builds trust
Improves corporate image
Prevents corruption
Ensures sustainability
