Manager Interview - Role, Challenges, and Management Theories

This report highlights the role of a manager in an organization, challenges faced by managers, and management theories applicable to their function. It includes an interview with a human resource manager from David Jones, a retail organization.

MANAGER INTERVIEW
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Executive summary
A human resource manager of David Jones was interviewed to prepare a report on management
practices. It is observed that the manager works in the organization for the last 20 years and is
successful in maintaining good employee relation. In addition to regular training programs and
effective communication of the employees has been reflected in organizational output. The HR
manager along with other departmental managers design organizational strategies and policies
that lead towards achieving of goals of the business organization.
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Table of contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Discussion........................................................................................................................................3
Role of a manager in the organization.............................................................................................3
Management theories.......................................................................................................................4
Key activities performed that relates to managerial function..........................................................4
Challenges of manager’s role..........................................................................................................5
Evaluating managerial function comparing with the theories.........................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
Recommendations............................................................................................................................7
Reference list...................................................................................................................................8
Appendices......................................................................................................................................9
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Introduction
Every successful business organization requires a person who is able to perform the
administrative function at the same time takes responsibilities to help the organization meet its
goals. This report is developed after interviewing a human resource manager of a retail
organization David Jones. It highlights the theories applicable to a manager to perform his
function. It will also focus on the four managerial components planning, organizing, leading and
controlling as implemented by the manager in the organization. The interview details are
attached to the appendices.
Discussion
Role of a manager in the organization
A human resource manager from a retail organization was selected to throw light on his role and
activities. After making some preliminary interactions the following roles were identified.
Recruitment: The primary role of the human resource manager is to identify and attract talents
for the organization. The manager is well acquired and holds clear knowledge of all the work
profiles of the organization so that during the recruitment process he can provide clear job
description along with desired expertise.
Training: After the recruitment, the procedure is completed the human resource manager
ensures that the hired person improves the necessary skills (Guo and Ariss, 2015). In order to
make the hired employee appropriate for the organization, the manager makes arrangement for
training sessions that are followed after an induction program that helps the hired individual to
get accustomed to the work culture.
Employee motivation: Another important role of the manager is to promote employee
motivation so that they give their potential into the work environment. In order to encourage
employee performance, the manager rewards every performance after meeting the deadline.
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Employee relation: The manager plays the role of a communication channel between base
employees and the higher authorities. He listens to every employee and resolves conflicts during
necessity. The manager evaluates work performance and reports to the concerned authority.
Management theories
Management theory applicable in the particular manager is as follows:
Frederick Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory
According to the theory an employee is entitled to give the best performance at work once he is
motivated. Motivation in the workplace leads to satisfied workers. The theory also established
the fact that satisfaction and demotivation are not opposite sides of a continuum.
Goal setting theory
This theory states that setting up a goal for the organization motivates the employees to reach it
(Bratton and Gold, 2017). The goals define individual tasks that lead to a common aim of
enhancing organizational output.
Key activities performed that relates to the managerial function
Strategic HR planning and analysis
 HR policy planning
 Job evaluation
Equal employment opportunity for every applicant
 Compliance
 Affirmative action
 Diversity
Shortlisting and offering employment opportunities to applicants
 Job evaluation
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 Recruitment and selection
Documentation and paperwork orientation
Training and development
 Orientation program
 Induction training
 Professional development
 Career counselling
 Evaluating employee performance
Compensation and benefits
 Revising salary and wages administration
 Setting targets for an incentive scheme
 Setting other benefits such as medical and other allowances
Appraisal of job performance
Safety and security at the workplace
 Health policies
 Safety policies
 Security policies
Management of legal issues of the organization
 Knowledge about professional ethics
Challenges of the manager's role
Some of the challenges faced by the organizational manager are identified
Compliance with organizational legislations: Unlike many other managers this human
resource manager keeps himself updated with revised employment laws. The manager makes
sure that none of the employees of the organization is devoid of any legal workplace opportunity.
The manager is in compliance with state and federal labour laws.
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Change in management policies: The management policies of the organization keep changing
with the growth of the business. The HR manager communicates with the employees about the
benefits of the introduced changes so that they find no difficulty in coming up and work
productivity is unaffected.
Understanding compensation package: Deciding compensation for equal talents becomes a
challenge. The rise in healthcare costs have put the organization under stress to meet employee
demands for other benefits.
Evaluating managerial function comparing with the theories
According to Fayol's management theory management function, it performs in a circular path.
The managerial function of the HR manager has been illustrated in 5 processes.
Planning: The manager is entitled to consider several actions before making any decisions. In
the case of the HR manager, he identifies the job requirement and nature of duties involved
before hiring a person.
Organizing: The business organization should be structured well based upon which the manager
should implement all the necessary actions. The policies and strategies undertaken depend upon
organizational structure (Scott, 2016).
Leading: After a joint decision has been initiated to approach a plan, the manager should lead
the employees involved so that they feel motivated.
Coordinating: If there is involvement of multiple departments, the manager should ensure that it
operates in a democratic leadership style so that all employees can participate in decision
making. It also aims towards the organizational goal in a coordinated manner.
Controlling: Despite the other activities, the manager should ensure systematic control over all
the working employees. The monitoring makes work evaluation easier and measures productivity
respect to prior performance.
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Figure 1: Henry Fayol’s Management theory
Source: (Bratton and Gold, 2017)
Conclusion
A manager plays a pivotal role in the organization as they deal with every kind of circumstances
in order to mitigate challenges. The function of managers is dependent on the structure of the
organization and its nature. Therefore an efficient manager is capable of identifying employee
skills and directs them to meet common organizational goals. The report reveals the key factors
and activities that are undertaken by the human resource manager of the retail organization for
years that has led to productive organizational output and employee retention.
Recommendations
 The manager should be updated with the hiring policies and practices and regulations
related to workplace safety such as Employment &Labour law of Australia
 For management policies, the manager can arrange frequent meetings for justifying the
cause for policy changes. This will help to retain employees for a long time who are
likely to quit the job for policy change
 Practising democratic leadership management style
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Reference list
Bratton, J. and Gold, J., (2017). Human resource management: theory and practice. Palgrave.
Guo, C. and Al Ariss, A., (2015). Human resource management of international migrants:
Current theories and future research.
Scott, E., (2016). Ethics and human resource management. In Practicing professional ethics in
economics and public policy(pp. 215-221). Springer, Dordrecht.
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Appendices
Managing Organisations (MNG10247)
Assignment 2
Interviewee Details
NAME Noah Taylor
POSITION HR Manager
ORGANISATION David Jones
WORK PHONE [phone]
DATE OF INTERVIEW April 3, 2019
Interview questionnaires
1. For how long you are working with this organization?
Manager: 20 years
2. What are the key responsibilities you need to perform?
Manager: Hiring candidates and evaluation job performances
3. How do the employees of the organizations react if there is a management change?
Manager: Employees react in a positive note since the organization provides flexible
management.
4. What is the employee motivation schemes implemented in the organization?
Manager: incentives and rewards
5. What are the legislation and theories the organization follow to retain employees?
Manager: Equal opportunity & employment Act, Health Safety Act.
Frederick Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory, Goal setting theory
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