Functions of Management in Organizations

This assignment delves into the fundamental functions of management – planning, organizing, leading, and controlling – within an organizational context. It examines each function's role in achieving organizational objectives and explores the evolution of management theories that have shaped these practices. The importance of applying these functions effectively is highlighted, along with their limitations.

Running Head: Management Theories 1
Management Theories
Authors Name
University Of Affiliation.

Management Theories 2
Table of Contents
PART A...................................................................................................................................................3
1.0 Management function........................................................................................................................3
1.1 Planning.........................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Organizing.....................................................................................................................................4
1.3 Directing........................................................................................................................................4
1.4 Controlling.....................................................................................................................................4
2.0 Limitation..........................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................................4
PART B.......................................................................................................................................................5
1.0 Management theories.........................................................................................................................5
1.1 Scientific management theory............................................................................................................5
1.2.1Strengths..........................................................................................................................................6
1.2.2Weakness.........................................................................................................................................6
1.3 Human relation theory.......................................................................................................................6
1.3.1 Strength..........................................................................................................................................7
1.3.2 Weakness........................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................7
References...............................................................................................................................................7

Management Theories 3
PART A
1.0 Management function
Management is the process of running a business on behalf of the business owner. The main task
of the management team is to utilize the resources effectively and to make decisions that will
lead the business to achieve its goals and objectives. In my first year, working as a part-timer at
McDonald restaurant, I was given a task of running a social media campaign that will promote
the organization business. Having minimum knowledge of digital marketing, I had to apply the
four function of management i.e planning, organizing, controlling and directing attain the goals
set.
1.1 Planning
The planning process is the organization course of action. Upon finishing of the planning phase
the resource of the organization is likely to be used effectively. Planning for the social media
marketing campaign involved the process of writing down the goals, the target market, the hours
spent in the social media, the resources required and the measures to be taken. The aim of the
target I had set was to enable the organization to attain its objective of increasing its market share
through reaching more target audience. As the head of the digital marketing campaign, I had to
plan for resources that were required. The importance of the business planning is that it helps the
organization get a clear understanding of the business and market in which it operates in.
1.2 Organizing
After the planning phase, the second function is the organizing function. It is not possible for a
single person to handle all the tasks by himself, there must be task delegation. The process of
organizing includes directing and coordination of various activities to ensure that all the team
members are fully aware of the task that is awaiting them and the objectives set to be attained
(Open.lib.umn.edu, 2016). All the team's members were aware of their responsibilities in the
digital marketing campaign
1.3 Directing
Directing function is the third management function.This function helps the management of the
control and supervision of the staff action. It, however, provides guidance to the workers in the
right direction. Throughout this process, the organization will achieve its goals alongside

Management Theories 4
accomplishing the employee personal goals. At this stage, I motivated my group while ensuring
there was effective communication.
1.4 Controlling
Controlling helps in the coordination process and planning process. Controlling is utilized by
managers at all level .The controlling function is characterized by a forward-looking feature.
Controlling place its focus on the expectations of the projects so that in case of any requisite the
follow up can be made. The controlling function is dependent on the planning function, if the
planning was not made at the initial phase then the controlling phase will be no meaning
(Open.lib.umn.edu, 2016).
2.0 Limitation
It is very costly process to monitor the performance the employees, one has to put in a lot of
attention .Organization do spend a lot of money in the installation of the control systems .The external
factors cannot be controlled by the organization. Lastly, the employee might resist the control
and this can lead to the reduction in the controlling (Open.lib.umn.edu, 2016).
Conclusion
It is evident that management cannot be an easy task to define but the function of management
aid in the demonstration of the good work that should be done by managers.
PART B
1.0 Management theories
Management theory comprises of various theories. It is the responsibility of the organization
manager to the management theory that they apply they do it well (Rao, 2012). When the
organization management relies on the opinions from the outside environment on the happening
of the internal environment of the organization, this can be of great significance to the company
and the management (Gartenstein, 2011).. This paper researches on the management theory that
is applied to the McDonald organization. Understanding of the management theory is beneficial
as it aids the manger in knowing which theory is best applicable in the workplace under what
circumstance. The theories of management implemented by the organization of McDonald shows
the various aspect of the classical management. The organization shows how their style of

Management Theories 5
management has led the organization to achieve its goals and being at the edge of the
competition (Shethna, 2015).
1.1 Scientific management theory
The most important development in the management took place in the 20th century. Fredric
Taylor was the earliest theorist. Taylor had a team that studied the work process scientifically
(Mindtools.com, 2010). They were keen on studying how work was done and how the
performance of work affected the productivity of the worker. Taylor believed that overworking
people was not an efficient way of improving the way work was done. In the book published by
Taylor” principle of scientific management”, it was clearly indicated that job simplification and
optimization could increase the productivity of work (Markgraf, 2016). The theory state that it is
of significance for managers and workers to corporate together in order to do business. This was
on the contrary of how the management at the workplace was running their activities, there was a
limited contact between the management and the workers, as the managers and left the workers
to produce on their own without guidance and motivation. The main motivation that workers
found was in continuous employment, therefore there was incentive to perform the task
efficiently or quickly as possible. Taylor had a strong belief that all workers were motivated by
money. Taylor introduces the idea of a “fair payday for a fair days work”, this simply meant that
an employee who did not work hard be-productive did not receive much as the employee who
had been very productive. Taylor was mainly interested in the efficiency of the work
productivity. A conclusion was made that there are people who could work more proficient than
others. They were the people that managers were seeking to hire. Selection of people with the
right skill for a job was another significant part of the efficiency of the workplace. The Taylor
scientific theory is clear in the McDonald particular systems, training and education of the
employee for better performance.
1.2.1Strengths
Taylor developed a four principle that was could help in the efficiency of an organization.
The use of the scientific approach to determine the most effective way of a particular task
performance and study of work could be used as a replacement for common sense and simple
habit.

Management Theories 6
The workers should be trained to work at the maximum efficiency and they should be matched
based on their competence to perform a task rather than being simply assigned any task.
Performance of the workers should be monitored and supervisors should provide instructions so
as to ensure that the organization is using the most efficient working ways.
Work should be allocated between the workers and the managers, this will enable the managers
to use their time to train and plan, hence allowing the workers to perform well their task.
1.2.2Weakness
The theory of scientific management indicates that there is only one way to work in the
organization. The theory is in the opposition to the teamwork in the organization as a practice.
The theory breaks down the task into various steps and places emphasis on how each person can
perform their task.
1.3 Human relation theory
The human relation method place emphasis on the need for an understanding that is clear on the
significance of the human attitude and capabilities in the approach to the effectiveness of the
organization (Bianca, 2018). The theory seek to respond to the social pressure that is emerging
with a keen eye on the employee treatment at the place of work. Is clearly state that the people
require the companionship, for them to have a sense of belonging, they need to seek satisfaction
in the work social relationship that they form. In a study conducted by Elton Mayo, people at the
workplace are more aware to the teams of self-governing, and when they are involved fully in a
two-way consultation in the decision that affects them, they will be committed highly to the
goals of the organization and the management. The belief that human relationship is the better
method for work productivity improvement still persist in the various organization (Mulder,
2011). McDonald focuses on the employee motivation in order for it to retain its customer
satisfaction need.
1.3.1 Strength
The human relation theory has various strength, they include: First, the theory places a lot of
emphasis on the appreciation and recognition of the worker. It considers the well-being of the
employee at the workplace. Lastly, the theory focuses on the building of a relationship between
the employee and the manager (BusinessDictionary.com, 2014).

Management Theories 7
1.3.2 Weakness
The human relation theory has its weakness too, the theory put a lot of simplification of the
human behavior. The theory places its strategies on the behavior prediction vs the behavior that
is observed.
Conclusion
Many managers have recognized the effect of management theory and its benefit to the
organization productivity. McDonald is no exception, the organization has embraced various
management theory that has led to the organization better performance. The organization has
continuously motivated its employee ensuring there is a good relationship between workers as it
realizes the impact it has on the productivity of the organization. The organization has been able
to stay ahead of competition due to its constant dependent on various management theory and
knowing which theory to apply under what circumstance.

Management Theories 8
References
Bianca, A. (2018). Human Relations Management Theory. [online] Bizfluent.com. Available at:
https://bizfluent.com/info-8197637-human-relations-management-theory.html [Accessed 25 Jan.
2018].
Bhasin, H. (2017). The four functions of Management in an organization. [online] Marketing91.
Available at: https://www.marketing91.com/four-functions-of-management/ [Accessed 25 Jan.
2018].
BusinessDictionary.com. (2014). What is management theory? definition and meaning. [online]
Available at: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/management-theory.html [Accessed
25 Jan. 2018].
Gartenstein, D. (2011). Four Types of Management Theory. [online] Bizfluent.com. Available at:
https://bizfluent.com/info-8375509-four-types-management-theory.html [Accessed 25 Jan.
2018].
Markgraf, B. (2016). The Evolution of Management Theories. [online]
Yourbusiness.azcentral.com. Available at: https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/evolution-
management-theories-17356.html [Accessed 25 Jan. 2018].
Mindtools.com. (2010). Frederick Taylor and Scientific Management: Understanding Taylorism
and Early Management Theory. [online] Available at:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_Taylor.htm [Accessed 25 Jan. 2018].
Mulder, P. (2011). Human Relations Theory by Elton Mayo | ToolsHero. [online] ToolsHero.
Available at: https://www.toolshero.com/management/human-relations-theory-elton-mayo/
[Accessed 25 Jan. 2018].
Open.lib.umn.edu. (2016). 1.5 Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling | Principles of
Management. [online] Available at: http://open.lib.umn.edu/principlesmanagement/chapter/1-5-
planning-organizing-leading-and-controlling-2/ [Accessed 25 Jan. 2018].
Rao, N. (2012). Evolution of Management Thought and Theory - Review Notes. [online]
Nraomtr.blogspot.co.ke. Available at: http://nraomtr.blogspot.co.ke/2011/12/evolution-of-
management-thought-and.html [Accessed 25 Jan. 2018].

Management Theories 9
Shamiksha, C. (2018). The Importance and Limitations of Controlling | Organization
Management. [online] Your Article Library. Available at:
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/organization/the-importance-and-limitations-of-controlling-
organization-management/8738 [Accessed 25 Jan. 2018].
Shethna, J. (2015). How to apply management theories at workplace | edu CBA. [online]
eduCBA. Available at: https://www.educba.com/how-to-apply-management-theories-at-
workplace/ [Accessed 25 Jan. 2018].
Uniassignment.com. (2015). The 4 Functions Of Management Business Essay. [online] Available
at: https://www.uniassignment.com/essay-samples/business/the-4-functions-of-management-
business-essay.php [Accessed 25 Jan. 2018].