Definitions, and Managerial Structure Based on a Systems Model

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AGeneralSystemsModel,for ManagementandBusiness

Chapter 2) Definitions, and Managerial Structure BasedonaSystems Model

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Notes for this E-Book

The concepts presented in this e-book are primarily focused on management and business. However, most of these concepts also apply to other types of systems that involve human beings. Thus, anywhere you see the words business or organization in this ebook, the material I am presenting may also apply to any type of system that is partly or totally comprised of human beings, such as a factory, a home-based business, a microbusiness, a school, a social club, a city, a state, a nation, a family, and an individual. In this e-book, I call the above entities, underlined in red, human systems.

In this e-book, I frequently use the word business, company, and organization interchangeably, as synonymous terms. In addition, I use the word employee, or employees to refer to non-managerial personnel.

Web Links in this E-Book

This e-book contains links to web-based articles and videos from other authors, for additional information, supporting material, and for alternative: perspectives, interpretations, explanations, and opinions. The links are the blue underlined words. In this e-book brown text, like these words, represent quotes. You can access the original source, by clicking on a link presented just before a quote. If a link fails, use the blue underlined words as a search phrase, with or for a video use The search will usually bring up the original website or one or more good alternatives.

Section 1)Definitions and Descriptions ofManagementConcepts

Topic 1) Dictionary Definitions of Management, and Manage

Listed below there are four dictionary definitions, two are for the term management, and two for the word manage. The definitions are presented in brown text. Some of these definitions are slightly modified, but you can left click on the blue underlined words to access the original source.

Management: From the Marian Webster Dictionary Website

Management: the act or skill of controlling and making decisions about a business, department, sports team, etc. The people who make decisions about a business, department, sports team, etc. The act or process of deciding how to use something

Management: From Dictionary.com Unabridged

Management: 1. the act or manner of managing; handling, direction, or control

2. skill in managing; executive ability: great management and tact.

3. the person or persons controlling and directing the affairs of a business, institution, etc.: The store is under new management.

4. executives collectively, considered as a class (distinguished from labor).

Manage: From the Marian Webster Dictionary Website

Manage: to have control of (something, such as a business, department, sports team, etc.) To take care of and make decisions about (someone's time, money, etc.) To direct the professional career of (someone, such as an entertainer or athlete)

Manage: From the Oxford Dictionaries.com Website

Be in charge of (a company, establishment, or undertaking); administer; run:

their elder son managed the farm; Administer and regulate (resources under one’s control): we manage our cash extremely well; Have the position of supervising (staff) at work: the skills needed to manage a young, dynamic team

As can be seen from the above definitions, there are two basic meanings of the term management. The first definition refers to the act or process of managing. The second definition means the people that manage an organization or business. In addition, the word manage is defined above in a number of ways would approximately the same meaning. These definitions are not precise enough for the concepts presented in this e-book. However, in the following paragraphs the words, management, and managing are defined in a precise way, based on a systems conceptualization. This will also include a number of other concepts that relate to a business as a system.

Topic 2) Managing Defined in Terms of a SYSTEM CONCEPTUALIZATION

Based on the way am using the terminology managing is a process that involves monitoring, evaluating, correcting and/or improving a business, to obtain one or more goals. Managing can also involve goal setting, planning, and creating new components of a system, such as new subsystems. To achieve the sub-goals underlined in red type, an appropriate or preferred managerial methodology may be utilized, to manage a specific type of system.

If the system is a business, the managing might involve evaluating, correcting and/or improvingemployee performance,advertising, and sales, with the goal of optimizing profits. Goal setting and planning may be focused on increasing productivity, with the ultimate objective of increasing profits. This might involve adding new components or subsystems to a business, such as new equipment, additional manufacturing facilities, and international selling outlets.

Topic 3) Management Defined as a SUBSYSTEM, THAT MANAGESABUSINESS, OR OTHER SYSTEM

Based on the way I am using the terminology, management means a subsystem that carries out the process of managing. The subsystem is usually one or more individuals that are managing a business. An example of word usage is management was unwilling to invest in new equipment. Another definition for management is presented below.

Topic 4) ManagementDefinedasaSubject ANDMETHODOLOGYFORMANAGING A SYSTEM

The term management also refers to the potential or actual application of a methodology, for managing a business. This also includes the study and/or application of managerial concepts, theories, problems, solutions, methodologies, techniques, strategies, and philosophies for managing a business.

Topic 5) What is a Managerial Methodology

Based on the way I am using the terminology, a managerial methodology is comprised of techniques, and strategies for managing a business. This can also include one or more of the following: managerial theories, concepts, moral values that relate to business, a philosophy, and a focus on specific business objectives.

The precise methodology used to manage a business can be influenced by the type and size of the business, the location of the business, local customs and culture, as well as the personal, preferences, beliefs, values, and goals of the manager(s).

The culture and subculture of the manager(s) might be one of the most important factors that influence the choice of managerial methodology. Based on my personal observations, the methodology that most people use to manage a business, or to manage their personal lives, and solve problems, and set goals, are primarily based on their culture and subculture. This sometimes interferes with the utilization of optimum managing and problem solving strategies.

Topic 6)For Additional Information, Supporting Material, and for Alternative: Perspectives, Interpretations, and Opinions, OnManagerialMethodologies, and Related Concepts, seetheFollowingWebsitesfromotherAuthors

1)MANAGERIAL METHODOLOGY IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, 2)Managerial Re-engineering of the Organization, 3)The Influence of Culture on Human Resource Management1 by LaraineKaminsky, 4)CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONS: PROJECT GLOBE, 5)Cultural influence on management aspects: The experience of the Chinese in Singapore, By Jayantha Wimalasiri, 6)Methodologies for using performance measurement, 7)Project management methodologies, 8)E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010, 9)Video: Managerial Finance Capital Budgeting Methodologies 1, 10)Types of Problem Solving Methods in Management and Supervision

Section 2) Basics of Managerial Structure, And Related Concepts

Topic 7)Supervising is a Type of Managing

The definition of managing presented in the previous section, might not fit YOUR concept of managing. When people first hear the word managing, they might think of their experiences with supervisors. Supervising is a form of managing that is generally limited to monitoring, evaluating, and correcting the actions of employees. The goal of supervising is to be certain that the employees are doing their work, at a reasonable rate of speed, without breaking rules. Supervisors may also write reports about employee performance, provide simple instructions to employees, or assist in training new employees. Supervisors generally do not make any major decisions about the operation of a business, in large or medium-size organizations. In a small business, the supervisor might be the owner of the business.

Supervisors in some work environments, perform the same work as the employees that they supervise. The supervisor in such a case might be called a foreman, forewomen, or foreperson.

Supervises are called first-line manages, by many sources, because they observe employees directly as they are performing their work. As a result of this first-line manages often, have managerial information based on direct observations and experiences, which middle management and upper management do not possess. The first line manager might be more aware of production problems, and he or she may have ideas that can lead to solutions. Skillful upper and middle managers will gather information from first-line manages to correct problems and make improvements.

Topic 8) The Focus of the Managing Process

The focus of the managing process can be on the entire system, or on one of the subsystems of the business. If the managing is focused on the entire system, it can be called strategic management, and it is usually directed by upper management. If the focus of the managing processes on a subsystem, it might be called one of the following: Human resource management, financial management, project management, marketing management, etc.

Topic 9) A SIMPLIFIED Description of a ConventionalManagerialStructure

Large or medium-size businesses generally have a complexed managerial structure, involving different levels of management. This generally involves a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the top of the managerial hierarchy. (In some organizations, the top-level manager may be called the president, or director.)

In newly developed organizations, the CEO might be the founder of the company, and he or she might own more than 50% of the business. In such a case, the CEO may have total control over the business.

In large organizations that are no longer run by the founder, the CEO is usually hired by the board of directors, and he or she usually does not have total control over the organization. Sometimes stockholders may be partly involved with the selection of a CEO.

The CEO generally sets the long-term goals of the business. In a large business, the goal setting can also involve other top-level executives, and the board of directors.

The CEO might supervise managers from several departments of the business, such as the marketing manager, sales manager, production manager, etc. Each of the departments may have lower level managers that supervise the workers.

Small businesses will generally have much simpler structure than described above, such as the owner of the business, managing a few employees. In some cases, the business may have one or two supervisors that carry out supervision of several employees. Supervises in very small businesses usually have other responsibilities besides supervision.

The managerial structure of an organization is often represented on an organizational chart. This usually involves the CEO at the very top, which might be followed by a few top-level management officials. Google images, has an excellent display of different types of organizational charts, which can be accessed by clicking on the blue underlined words.

Topic 10)For Additional Information, Supporting Material, and for Alternative: Perspectives, Interpretations, and Opinions, OntheTopicsPresentedAbove, seethe Following WebsitesfromotherAuthors

1)Management Levels and Types, 2)Top-Level Management, 3)Middle-Level Management, 4)Frontline Management, 5)Functional vs. General Management, 6)Management in Different Types of Businesses: For-Profit, Non-Profit, and Mutual Benefit, 7)Management styles, 8)THE SEVEN TYPES OF MANAGERS – Where Do You Stand?, 9)Management Styles: Definition, Theory & Types, 10)Which of These 4 Types of Managers Are You?, 11)The Different Types of Management Styles, 12)6 Management Styles, 13)Strategic Management: Formulation and Implementation, 14)Management Skills: Different Types of Management Skills (PART1), 15)Types of Management Information Systems, 16)8 Different Types of Small Business Management Styles – What’s Yours?, 17)MANAGEMENT LEVELS, 18)THE THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICES, 19)Management Consulting 101: Types of consulting, 20)Types of Risk Management, 21)Types of Organizational Structure in Management.

THE FOLLOWING ARE WEB-BASED VIDEOS

1)Business management - Organizational Structure, by Brett Suttone, 2)Organization Structure, 3)Organizational Structure, 4)U3, AOS2: 1. Management structures, 5)Business Studies - Organization Structure, 6)Strategic Management: Organizational Structure, 7)Corp 101: The Basics of Corporate Structure, 8)John Maxwell The 5 Levels of Leadership, 9)Project Management Roles and Organizational Structures, J Scott Christianson, 10)Project Risk Management - Simplified!

The following five search pages contain large number of videos from a company called: Passionate Project Management (website )

Google video search Page 1 Passionate Project Management

Google video search Page 2 Passionate Project Management

Google video search Page 3 Passionate Project Management

Google video search Page 4 Passionate Project Management

Google video search Page 5 Passionate Project Management

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Hyperlink Table Of Contents

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Section 1)Definitions and Descriptions ofManagementConcepts

Topic 1) Dictionary Definitions of Management, and Manage