INTRODUCTION
Before we study in depth, the aspects of management, we must firstly
understand what management is and its definition.
Whether we are aware or not, in this world, work falls under two main
categories, namely, the professional field and the management field.
Doctors, accountants, engineers, architects, lawyers etc. are good examples of the
former. A doctor, for example practises according to his ability and expertise by
treating patients that seek advice from him. In other words, a doctor will not
direct another person to perform his job functions on his behalf. The nurse, on
the other hand, only assists the doctor in examining patients as she does not have
the necessary qualifications and the same abilities as the doctor to carry out the
said activities. The nurse acts only as the assistant to the doctor.
WHAT IS MANAGEMENT?
In short, the doctor cannot assign his job to his assistant. The same applies to
other professions.
It is, indeed, very different from the latter i.e. management. Management, in a
nutshell, means, directing people to perform tasks efficiently and effectively. In
other words, ensuring that a job is carried out well until completion. This means
that a manager does not necessarily need to know how to perform a specific job
but to act as a co-ordinator in ensuring that the task is carried out smoothly. For
example, a manager of a shoe factory does not necessarily have to know the
details on how to make shoes but he only needs to ensure that all resources
allocated to him, including the human resources, i.e. the employees under him,
function satisfactorily and that the final objectives set by the organisation are
achieved. The objective achieved, in this context, refers to efficiency and
effectiveness.
DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT
Effectiveness is the attainment of goals that enables the realisation of the
objectives of an organisation or, briefly, as Âdoing the right thingÊ whereas
efficiency is the performing a job using minimum effort, cost and wastage or
simply put as Âdoing things rightÊ. The end result of an efficient and effective
management is the success of an organisation.
Back to the question of efficiency and effectiveness as defined above, a person
can be described as efficient but not effective or effective but not efficient in
managing a specific task. In short, both elements are not inter-dependent. For
example, a factory worker is described as efficient but not effective when he
manages to find a short cut to performing his task with a lower cost but deviates
from the ethical objectives of the organisation. This becomes apparent when the
factory worker resolves to dispose of production waste by dumping it into the
river. Although the factory worker is evidently efficient, he has deviated from
the original objectives of the organisation that is to preserve local harmony.
Management is defined as a process of overseeing and coordinating resources
efficiently and effectively in line with the goals of the organisation.
In your opinion, what is the definition of management?
In contrast, an employee is described as effective but not efficient when he uses
an old method to resolve a management issue even if the issue could have been
resolved efficiently without deviating from the objectives of the organisation.
For example, in delivering information, the employee sends a letter via postal
mail instead of using the e-mail. Even though it does not affect or clash with the
objectives of the organisation, the employee has, in fact, wasted a part of the
resources allocated to him.
Based on the matter discussed above, in reality, efficiency and effectiveness
cannot be excluded from the definition of management as both are important
elements in defining management.
