BUMGT1501: Applying Management Principles to Abraham Grocery Store

This report analyzes the application of management principles to improve business operations, focusing on a case study of Abraham Grocery Store. It identifies four key management functions—planning, controlling, coordinating, and organizing—and discusses how their effective implementation can address operational flaws within the store. The report advocates for the administrative approach to management, emphasizing formalized structures, division of labor, and clear delegation of authority to enhance communication and streamline processes. Furthermore, it explores strategies for improving efficiency and effectiveness through teamwork, communication, organizational structure, role clarity, and planning. The analysis suggests that by addressing these factors, the grocery store can enhance its operational mechanisms and customer service.

Running head: Management Principles
Management Principles

Management Principles
Answer 1
By focusing on the case study it has been identified that there are four functions of management
which are considered to improve the activities or operations of the business. Four management
functions that can contribute to improving the business are
There are functions that are going on in the organization and all the functions are equally
important in context to managing business operations. There are many operational flaws that
exist in the management of Abraham Grocery Store. Four management functions that will
contribute to improving the business are as follows:
1. Planning: It can be easily seen in the case study that there was lack of planning while
managing the operations of the firm. The planning must be on the basis of previous a
requirement that firm has noticed at the same time checking the quality and availability of
the resources (Drucker, 2012). For example, there must be planning regarding how the
meat will be produced and will be sold to the consumers. For bringing the smoothness to
work planning is extremely important.
2. Controlling: Another important function that might improve the business is controlling
the operations (Lussier, 2011). As it can be seen that store manager did not have the
control over all the operations. By controlling the store facilities they can easily reduce
the flaws present in the business processes. All the department's manager must report to
the store manager so that there can be central controlling of the activities this is necessary
for getting things done. Because of the lack of central controlling it is seen that there
were conflicts and mismanagement at the store.
3. Coordinating: Among the various functions coordinating can be essential as it helps in
making the processes more efficient as well as reduces the chances of conflict. If the store
manager at Abraham Grocery coordinates among all the department's employees then it
would be easier for them to make the processes better. Proper communication plays a
highly vital role in this regards as it helps in reducing the confusions. It can be seen that
the manager of one department peeps into the work of some other departments. This is
not good for the operational mechanism of the store as with this they may not be able to
provide effective services to their clients.
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Management Principles
4. Organising: It is also seen that there was a lot of problems related to the organizing of the
business operations (Cengage, 2018). Hence managers must ensure that they organize all
the resource in such a manner that all the activities at the firm can be done smoothly. For
example, it will help in avoiding the situation like what happened in the coke display
case. It will help in minimizing the dissatisfaction at the store.
Answer 2
One of the best management approaches which can be best suited is administrative approach.
This approach is related to find out a rational way to design a company as a whole. This theory
focuses on considering the formalized administrative structure, a division of labor and also
delegation of power and authority to the administrators which are relevant to the areas of
responsibilities (O'Neill, Beauvais & Scholl, 2016). This is one of the best theories in context to
the given case study. It has been seen that according to the case study formalized case structure is
important so that activities can be conducted in a right direction. As it can be evaluated in the
case study there are administrative problems that are analyzed. It has been analyzed that there is
no proper communication between the employees who are conducting their routine activities.
Due to ineffective communication people are not able to conduct their activities in a proper
manner. Also by focusing on the case it can be stated that responsibilities and duties are not
cleared. The employees are confused in the organization that how to conduct the activities
(Karanges, Johnston, Beatson & Lings, 2015). They have no clear directions and also the
structure of management is not effective.
It has been seen that the division of labor is not clear like store manager is also focusing on
managing two departments which create confusion and can lead to ineffectiveness and
frustration. There is no particular head in the department. So, conflict takes place between the
people because the decisions that were taken are not equal. The decision which was taken by one
manager is not entertained by the other manager. So, in this situation the conflict arises. There
was no coordination between the managers. At last the suggestion which is given by the
consultant to reorganize within the store is effective. It has been seen that formalize
administrative structure was made in which meat, grocery and produce department will report to
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Management Principles
the store manager (Petty, 2018). The store manager will now control and manage the activities
and have the responsibility to make coordination between the meat, produce and grocery
departments. The department manager of the meat in every store will report to the store manager
and would focus on dashed line relationship with the specialist of district meat. Now, store
manager will directly report to the district store supervisor (Certo, 2018). The specialist of
district meat and produce will visit the stores on a periodical basis and offer advice so that
quality can be maintained in a proper manner. Now, there is proper delegation of the
responsibilities which will help to conduct the activities in a right direction. By giving
responsibilities to the store manager a new structure would encourage coordination within the
store and offer managers the ability to consider the local tastes and also the requirement of the
customers. When there is proper flow of responsibility and it is clearly states then it can be
simple to conduct the activities in a right manner.
Answer 3
Efficiency and effectiveness in managing the enterprise can be managed in many ways. By
giving focus on the case study it is important to consider these points so that efficiency and
effectiveness can be managed. The points are related to teamwork, communication,
organizational structure, role and responsibilities, planning. According to the case study, it is
important to consider these points so that the efficiency and effectiveness can be managed. If
teamwork is considered then it can be possible to generate new ideas that will help to enhance
the flow of activities. If teamwork is there then it can be simple to make proper coordination of
the activities. Teamwork plays a great role to reduce the conflicts that take place in the context of
the activities conducted in the organization. According to the case of there is proper coordination
then it can be easy to accomplish the overall goals and objectives (Miller, 2006).
Next factor is related to communication that should be considered to enhance the effectiveness
and efficiency of the enterprise. If there is proper communication in the workplace then it can be
easy to manage the activities. Miscommunication can lead to conflict in the workplace. It can
help in analyzing the flow of information or communication that should be effective so that it can
be simple to manage the overall enterprise activities. In this case, it has been seen that there is
lack of communication in the workplace and due to his conflicts are taking place (Angouri &
Kirilova, 2017).
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Management Principles
The focus should also be given on the organizational structure so that the delegation of the duties
and responsibilities can be done properly. It is important to have a proper flow of responsibility
and also each and very employees should have a proper understanding of the activities that
should be conducted so that conflicts can be minimized and success can be achieved in the
workplace. If there is proper organizational structure and also the delegation of the activities then
employees can conduct the activities in a right direction and efficiency can also be enhanced.
Next factor is related to the roles and responsibility. It is important to define the roles and
responsibilities of every employee so that they can complete those activities which are assigned
to them for which they are responsible. If employees have a proper understanding of the
activities and duties then in a right direction it can be conducted (Jackson, 2007).
Planning is also important to maintain proper efficiency and effectiveness. It has been seen that if
proper planning is there in the activities then in the right direction the flow of activities can take
place. Planning helps to forecast the future and the activities which take place in the workplace.
It is important to consider the process of planning so that proper manipulation of the activity can
take place and also the flow of the information can take place in a managed form (Chou, 2018).
So, these all are the factors that should be considered so that effectiveness and efficiency can be
managed. This will help to manage the activities of the workplace in a proper way.
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Management Principles
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