Answer:
Three levels of management have been recognised by management experts. They are:
1. TOP MANAGEMENT
2. MIDDLE MANAGEMENT AND
3. SUPERVISORY OR LOWER MANAGEMENT
TOP MANAGEMENT :
- It consists of the Board of Directors, the Chairman, the Managing Director and so on. The functions of the top management are as follows:
- To lay down the basic objectives of the business.
- To frame major policies for the business
- To organise the business into different departments for the efficient attainment of the enterprise goals.
- To oppoint departmental heads and review their performance.
- To represent the business outside, particularly in discussing business problems with the Government, trade association and so on.
MIDDLE MANAGEMENT :
It consists of the Heads of all the Departments like the Production Manager, the Finance Manager, the Marketing Manager and so on. It also includes the deputy managers in all the departments. The functions of middle management are as follows:
- Formulation of suitable policies at the departmental level.
- Periodical review of performance.
- Interaction with the subordinate staff.
SUPERVISORY OR LOWER MANAGEMENT :
It consists of such individuals as the foremen, office managers, supervisors, etc. The supervisory management is concerned with the following functions:
- To plan the day-to-day work
- To assign work to all the employees and undertake supervision
- To monitor the performance of the employees.
- To send periodical reports to the middle level managers.
MANAGEMENT IS AN ART OR SCIENCE :
A question is often arised as to whether Management is an art or science? This question has been discussed here to explain the nature of Management.
MANAGEMENT IS A SCIENCE:
Science is a systematised body of knowledge pertaining to a particular field of enquiry. Its principles have universal applicability. It contains underlying principles and theories developed through continuous observation, experimentation and research. Likewise principles and theories are now available in every area of management. So management can be described as a science.
MANAGEMENT IS AN ART :
Art involves the practical application of personal skills and knowledge to achieve concrete results. Like any other artist, a manager applies his knowledge and skills to co- ordinate the efforts of his people. So Management is also called as an art.
CONCLUSION :
As Management has both the characteristics of Science and Art we can conclude that Management is both an Art and a Science.
MANAGEMENT AS A PROFESSION :
Management has come to be recognised as a profession in the way Medical, Law and Engineering are recognised. A profession is different from an occupation. A professional need not work for salary under an employer. He can have his own clients and get his remuneration from them directly. A professional can be an employer for many. A doctor, for example, may have his own clinic and employ nursing staff, lab technicians and others.
