Management Perspectives

This report provides insights into different roles and functions of managers, challenges faced in pandemic conditions, theories for mitigating them, internal analysis of Smith Co Ltd, and strategies for sustaining and growing the business.

Management Perspectives

Executive Summary
Management implies the art of acknowledgement of what has to be done, when it will
done and view it has been done in cheapest manner while maintaining its quality. They act as
net-worker within the firm but also plays exemplary role model. This report is based on Smith
Co Ltd who deals within manufacturing of sanitizer and are also looking forward to manufacture
mask. This report will provide an insight into different roles by making use of Fayol's theory and
Kurt Lewin for initiation of change. In addition to this, two different theories will be specified to
analyse the internal capabilities of the firm. Furthermore, motivational theory is utilised for
motivating employees of organisation that will lead them to have precise information.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
1 Explicate different roles and functions of manager. Explain three challenges that are faced
in pandemic conditions and theories utilised for mitigating them..............................................1
2. Justify the statement “Kurt Lewin proposes that whenever driving forces are stronger than
restraining forces, the status quo or equilibrium will change”. Apply force field analysis that
is integrated with Lewin's theory of change. Explain how ethical climate will be created........4
3. Conduct internal analysis of Smith Co Ltd for development of strategic planning objectives
for sustaining and growth of business.........................................................................................5
4. What motivational and leadership techniques are adopted during work from home to
increase productivity of employees. Elaborate performance appraisal, communication and
negotiation strategies for keeping employees motivated............................................................9
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12

Introduction
Management refers to set of activities which are directed at effective and efficient usage
of resources within chase of one or more goals (Abatecola, 2019). Within the organisation,
management is liable for administration as well as controlling affairs rather than their structure,
nature, size and type. To deal with this firms opt for different theories that enables them to
ensure that they are able to complete their projects in timely manner. This report is based on
Smith Co Ltd. which is a multinational firm and deals within manufacturing of sanitizers with
their branches in 20 locations across the world. This report will provide an insight into different
challenges faced by managers, usage of force field analysis and internal analysis. The distinct
techniques for enhancing productivity of their employees as well as organisation on the whole.
1 Explicate different roles and functions of manager. Explain three challenges that are faced in
pandemic conditions and theories utilised for mitigating them.
Manager implies a person who is accountable part of the organisation which denotes that
they manage the organisation. Within the organisation they are liable for carrying out different
roles and responsibilities as per needs of job. With respect to Smith Co Ltd. firm can opt for
different models through which they can define the roles along with functionalities of
management (Agostini, Galati and Gastaldi, 2019). Mintzberg acts as management tool for
managers that illustrates operational work. The managerial work within Smith Co Ltd can be
divided into three categories as per the Mintzberg. The different managerial roles are specified
below:
Interpersonal Roles: This implies contact in between people and managers like in Smith
Co Ltd it can be board of directors, subordinates, suppliers and their customers. This comprises
of:  Figurehead:Within Smith Co Ltd, the manager is anticipated to conduct symbolic duties
and will represent firm both externally and internally within entire matters for formality. Leader: They are liable for work carried out by the subordinates, motivating and
encouraging them while exercising formal authorities. Manager of Smith Co Ltd will
foster affirmative work environment.
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 Liaison: Manager of Smith acts as intermediary and tends to be a linking pin among low
and high levels. They are also responsible for developing and maintaining external
network.
Informational role: This comprises of processing of data that illustrates sending, passing
and analysis of information. Within Smith Co Ltd, they are anticipated to deal with exchange of
flows associated with vertical data of subordinates and horizontal flow of data related with
fellow managers (BOAHEN and BRUNBERG, 2019). This comprises of following aspects: Monitor: The manager is liable for gathering all the information associated with internal
as well as external aspects that are significant to the firm. They are responsible for
arranging, assessing and carry out analysis of information through which they can
determine problems, opportunities and any alterations carried out. Disseminator: Manager of Smith Co Ltd. transmits factual data to their subordinates
along with other people of the firm. This can be attained either by internal or external
sources. Spokesperson: Within Smith Co Ltd manager depicts company and they share
information with outside people like suppliers as per requirements.
Decisional role: Managers are responsible for decision making and this can be done
distinct ways at unlike levels. For this adequate leadership style is crucial within Smith Co Ltd.
as this aids within decision making. This involves: Entrepreneur: Manager of firm is liable for designing as well as initiation of changes
along with strategies (Braun and et. al, 2019). Disturbance handler: Within this role, manager will be liable for immediately
responding to unexpected operational and event breakdowns. In case of scarcity of raw
materials or any disputes then manager of Smith Co Ltd can opt for this role. Resource allocator: The manager is accountable for controlling and authorisation of
usage of organisational resources. In this context, Smith Co Ltd will assign position, raw
materials machines, finance and other resources.
 Negotiator: Here, manager will participate within carrying out negotiations with other
individuals and firms by representing interest of their firm (Fender and et. al, 2019).
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During the pandemic situation, manager of Smith Co Ltd have faced certain challenges
while ensuring that they can reach their potential customers. The challenges are specified below: Lack of coordination: When the pandemic situation came, the offices were closed and it
became difficulty to coordinate with other branches present within distinct location. This
also affected the supply chain management of the firm. Adequate guidelines were not
communicated to all the employees due to certain confusion like each team leader have
informed their members and latter anticipated that managers have allotted them work.
This hampered the productivity of Smith Co Ltd. Inadequate budget: Again due to lack of coordination this created an impact on the
budget allocation like which department needs how much like how marketing can be
done and what will be price needed for this. Same goes with other departments so it
became difficult to anticipate. Lack of communication: This is the critical aspect that hampers the operations of the
Smith Co Ltd. like during the pandemic situation relevant interaction did not occurred
with their customers which means that there requirements were not identified. Along with
this, with other employees as well as board of directors of the firm, the restricted
interaction occurred which hampered overall productivity levels of the organisation
(Koontz, Weihrich and Cannice, 2020).
For mitigation of the challenges, management of Smith Co Ltd. opted for situational
theory which implies that management of firm must adjust their style that fits within
development levels of their followers they are trying to create impact on. This style will provide
management with relevant flexibility levels through which they can opt for the one which will
lead them to have enhanced outcome in prevailing situation. The reason for using this is that it
renders insight, trust along with problem solving abilities.
2. Justify the statement “Kurt Lewin proposes that whenever driving forces are stronger than
restraining forces, the status quo or equilibrium will change”. Apply force field analysis
that is integrated with Lewin's theory of change. Explain how ethical climate will be
created.
Lewin offers the direction to diagnose conditions through which firm can manage
alterations in their premises. It has been anticipated that there exist both restraining as well as
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driving forces which creates an impact on change that might occur . With respect to Smith Co
Ltd, they need to bring in change within their policies and procedures due to the pandemic
situation (McAdam, Miller and McSorley, 2019). Like if all the employees are present then the
likeability for getting infected will also increase. Driving forces are likeable to initiate change
and stick to it. On the other hand restraining forces tends to restrain driving forces which implies
that making change will become difficult. This implies that both the forces in context of ethics or
any changes must be in state of equilibrium through which healthy working environment within
Smith Co Ltd can be maintained. In this context, Force Field analysis and Lewin's 3 stage model
are illustrated below:
Lewin's 3 Stage: This implies that change for an organisation is critical journey that
involves various stages for transition. The stages associated with this are illustrated below: Unfreeze:This stage illustrate initial stage for transition that comprises of improvisation
of readiness and willingness of individuals to come out of their existent comfort zone.
For this, Smith Co Ltd must improvise levels of motivation to accept the new working
methods. Change: In this case, change will be executed which involves accepting new ways to do
things. With respect to this, Smith Co Ltd have to formulate plans through which they
can conduct their operations in adequate manner by having precise guidelines,
involvement has to be encouraged and effectual communication must occur. Freeze; In this, people move to stable state i.e. equilibrium and it is ultimate stage where
people will either accept or internalise new ways to formulate new relationships (Menon
and et. al, 2019).
By opting for this model, Smith Co Ltd can prepare individuals for unfreezing or change
and reinforce requirement for the change. The Force field analysis is liable for providing
direction to diagnose conditions along with managing them. This is illustrated below: Driving forces: It is liable for brining in change through which overall productivity can
be improvised. Like due to the pandemic situations that prevails it becomes necessary for
Smith Co Ltd to continue their operations but they need to alter their policies
accordingly. Like there will be a certain gap in between employees while working
together and ensure that quality of services are not hampered (Perdana, 2020).
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 Restraining forces: This implies driving forces which makes this critical for firm to bring
in changes. Like cost if adequate budget is not there then employees might not be able to
work due to lack of raw material. This factor will tend to restrain the attempts that are
being made by driving forces.
 Equilibrium: This illustrates levels of productivity that might be impacted by relation
that prevails in between restraining and driving forces. The state of equilibrium will be
attained when both forces are equivalent. This will lead Smith Co Ltd to have desired
productivity.
The force field analysis integrates with Lewin’s three stage theory of change as one
works towards unfreezing the existing equilibrium, moving towards the desired change, and then
freezing the change at the new level so that a new equilibrium exists that resists further change.
In addition to this, the ethics has to be maintained. Like if in case restraining forces are strong
then in context of ethics then the desired goals cannot be attained. While bringing in change
within organisation it is important that right and wrong are taken into consideration as this will
hamper working environment (Price, Gherardi and Manidis, 2020).
3. Conduct internal analysis of Smith Co Ltd for development of strategic planning objectives for
sustaining and growth of business.
It is important for organisation to conduct internal analysis of their capabilities as this
will assist them within acknowledgement of what assets they have and needs to be utilised in
adequate manner. For an example, if employees of firm have technical abilities and sewing
capacity then it will become easy for Smith Co Ltd to diversify the range of products they are
offering to their customers. Suppose if firm is entering within a new segment like fashion
clothing then it will be difficult for them to survive within the competitive market. Thus, by
conducting the internal analysis they can have competitive edge over their customers. The
different tools or theories can be utilised by the firm for doing so. In context of Smith Co Ltd,
framework of different methods or theories have been illustrated below:
Value Chain Analysis: This implies a process in which firm is liable for identification of
primary as well as support activities that are responsible for adding up values to their final
products and carry out analysis either for minimisation of cost or having enhanced differentiation
(Raymond and et. al, 2019). This will aid Smith Co Ltd to represent internal activities of firm
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that are conducted by them while transformation of input within the output. This will help them
within giving clear idea with respect to how processes and actions can be aligned for providing
value for their target market and have enhanced profit margins. This comprises of two activities,
they are specified below:
Primary & Support activities: This is the initial step in which activities will be identified
and they are key systems or processes that are being utilised by firm for developing their services
along with products.
Primary activities: With reference to Smith Co Ltd, they are illustrated below: Inbound logistics: This implies the way in which resources and materials are being
gained from suppliers by management of Smith Co Ltd so that they can furnish sanitizer
along with the masks. Operations: This will aid firm to identify ways in which resources and materials are
being produced through which final services can be delivered. Outbound logistics: It denotes that once process of manufacturing has been completed
the next step involves its distribution. Here, the delivery process will be carried out
where they can grab their potential customers. Marketing & sales: This implies the way in which firm will represent the products and
sold to their ideal market. In this context, Smith Co Ltd utilise different social media
platform for reaching ample of customers as in pandemic situation this can be regarded
as probable medium for conducting their operations (Teece, 2019). Services: This implies activities that are required for maintaining performance of product
(sanitizer and mask) after they have produced. This involves providing warranty, training
and after sale services.
Support activities: They aids primary activity to attain competitive edge within the
market over their competitors. This involves certain aspects which are specified below: Firm infrastructure: This comprises of all the financial, legal and management system
that business possess for formulation of decisions along with effectual management of the
resources. This will lead Smith Co Ltd to drive the firm in forward direction by making
sure that firm's reputation is not hampered.
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 Human resource management: This comprises of all systems and processes that aids
within management of employees along with hiring of new employees. This is essential
process which will assist Smith Co Ltd to provide competitive edge and ensure that they
have adequate workforce through which there goals can be attained as per desired
standards (Vaid and Honig, 2020). Technology development: It aids firm within innovation and this will lead them to have
competitive edge over their competitors. Like for manufacturing of sanitizer Smith Co
Ltd makes use of different technologies or machineries as it is not possible to mix
chemicals with bare hands as this will lead to create pessimistic influence on their overall
working and work cannot be done on time.
 Procurement: Here, management of Smith Co Ltd will source the resources and
materials. They aims at having quality suppliers as per their budget so that it is not
crossed.
By opting for value chain analysis, Smith Co Ltd will be assisted to break down activities
that produce services or goods and acknowledge areas for differentiation and cost saving.
Mckinsey 7s model: This denotes a tool which is liable for analysing organisational
design of firm by looking into internal elements. With respect to Smith Co Ltd, they are specified
below: Strategy: Smith Co Ltd have to compete within complex, ambiguous, volatile and
uncertain environment. Thus, they need to formulate strategy through which they can
have strong edge like in pandemic crisis manufacturing mask is great step to have
customers (Visconti, Peñaloza and Toulouse, 2020). Structure: The hierarchical structure is being followed by Smith Co Ltd as in this each
employee know who will give them peculiar instructions for conducting their operations. Systems: They implies procedures, processes and activities in which employees are
engaged while carrying out their responsibilities. Like processes or machineries for
automating their activities used by Smith Co Ltd. Shared values: They are liable to encapsulate firms purpose with societal mandate
(Zhou, Chen and Wu, 2020). This will lead them to address requirements of their
customers in precise manner.
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 Style: Transformational leadership style is being opted by management and leaders of
Smith Co Ltd for delivering their services.
 Staff: The organisation have experienced and well qualified workforce that leads them to
attain their goals within desired time frame.
 Skills: To enhance the skills possessed by employees, management of Smith Co Ltd
provides them with training so that their skills can be enhanced.
This will enable Smith Co Ltd to attain desired goals within peculiar time frame and
ensure that positive work structure is being opted by them. By improvisation of their activities
and analysing their capabilities they can sustain as well as grow their business. Scenario planning
is critical aspect as this will further aid them within avoiding disruptions and controlling cost
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Illustration 1: Kurt Lewin Theory

(Abatecola, 2019). This will lead them to decline the aspects related with income volatility and
attain the affirmative outcome.
4. What motivational and leadership techniques are adopted during work from home to increase
productivity of employees. Elaborate performance appraisal, communication and
negotiation strategies for keeping employees motivated.
Leadership style refers to approach and manner for furnishing direction, execution of
plans along with this motivating people so that they can conduct their activities as per desired
standards. This enables leader to make sure that they are able to attain desired working standards
and meet their goals. Within Smith Co Ltd, leader has opted for transformational leadership style
to ensure that they are able to deliver enhanced services within stipulated time frame. This style
is responsible for motivating and inspiring people for attainment of remarkable or unexpected
outcome. This will provide employees with independence over responsibilities they have to do
and authorities can formulate decisions after they have given peculiar training for delivering their
responsibilities (Agostini, Galati and Gastaldi, 2019). Through this, Smith Co Ltd will be able to
interact the new innovative ideas, will lead organisation to balance short as well as long term
goals & vision. Furthermore, this will allow them to have integrity and emotional intelligence by
formulation of mutual trust with them.
By opting for transformational style of leadership, the affirmative environment will be
created through which motivation can be encouraged within Smith Co Ltd. This will also
exemplify moral standards in organisation that will further lead to encouraging others. By use of
transformational style management of firm can have open communication which will lead them
to work in effectual manner. This will also provide employees coaching and also they are
involved within the process of decision making. For motivating employees and boosting up their
morale firm can make use of motivational theories as it will lead them to have enhanced output
which will further lead them to attain their goals in pandemic crisis also.
For this Smith Co Ltd can make use of Vroom's expectancy theory, in which assumption
is made that behaviour results from conscious choices between alternatives in which purpose is
to enhance pleasure along with minimisation of the pain. Furthermore, it also identified that
performance of employees is dependent on individual factors like knowledge, abilities,
personality, experience and skills (BOAHEN and BRUNBERG, 2019). There are certain
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variables which are being utilised by Vroom for explaining this concept. In context of Smith Co
Ltd. they are illustrated below: Expectancy: This implies the belief which denotes that enhanced effort leads to
improvised performance. If employees of Smith Co Ltd. will work harder then this will
enable them to have better outcomes. It implies that firm need to have adequate
resources (like time and raw materials), adequate skills through which job can be done
and providing relevant support through which job can be done in relevant way. Instrumentality: It denotes that if employee will perform well then they will have valued
result. There has to be a clear understanding related with relationship among outcomes
and performance. In this case, Smith Co Ltd can provide their employees with rewards
depending upon their performance. There will be a transparency within the processes in
context of who is given what. Valence: This denotes significance which is being placed on anticipated results. For this
person has to be affirmative and attain the outcomes. An instance can be taken into
consideration like if employees of Smith Co Ltd are inspired via money then if they are
given some other rewards then it will not be of value for them.
Due to pandemic crisis people are already suffering from certain challenges due to which
frustration levels are also high. With reference to this aspect, Smith Co Ltd has opted to make
use of Vroom expectancy theory as in this case emphasis is laid on goal attainment, pay-offs and
rewards (Braun and et. al, 2019). This will motivate employees as their satisfaction is taken into
consideration which will allow them to conduct operations in accurate manner. The certain
strategies that can be opted by Smith Co Ltd are specified beneath:
Communication: Leaders of Smith Co Ltd can opt for having direct communication with
their employees. Like by making use of Zoom they can connect all their employees and can give
direction according to responsibilities they have to carry out. In case if there is any problem
faced by employees then they can have contact with the leader or subordinates as per their
requirements. This will have affirmative impact on their performance.
Negotiation: The win-win strategy can be adopted by Smith Co Ltd in which they
provides multiple offers simultaneously. For an example providing employees with recognition
for their work, appraisals, health benefits, rewards employee of the month and many more
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(Fender and et. al, 2019). In return employees will ensure that they will maintain desired quality
and ensure that it is completed on time. This will lead to creation of affirmative impact on both
the entities like the responsibilities will be conducted as per required quality standards which will
lead them to captivate more number of consumers towards their offerings.
Performance appraisal: To motivate the employees to give their best the appraisals can
be provided by manager of Smith Co Ltd in terms of monthly reward, recognition and if their
performance is constant in context of attainment of goals then appraisals can be given. This will
lead them to create motivated environment and ensure that needs of people are accomplished
(Koontz, Weihrich and Cannice, 2020).
Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that, it is important for firm to ensure that they possess
relevant management as it depends on them the way in which firm will behave. Thus it becomes
mandatory to opt for the precise strategies through which they can attain success within the
marketplace. Different roles are carried out by management and for this Fayol's theory has been
utilised. Furthermore, force field analysis and Lewin three stage theory is used for bringing in
change within the ways operations are conducted by them. To identify internal capabilities value
chain analysis and Mckinsey's 7s model is used and at last motivational along with leadership
style has been illustrated for having precise outcome.
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References
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