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What is Management?
Management is a rather inclusive term that is used in a variety of ways. Generally speaking, management is the process of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling an organization's human, financial, physical, and information resources to achieve organizational goals in an efficient manner.
A manager is someone who ultimately is responsible for achieving results through the specialized efforts of other people, whether individually, in groups, or in organizations.
MINTZBERG'S TEN MANAGEMENT ROLES
Mintzberg's has identified various roles that managers fill within organizations.
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GENERAL ROLE
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SPECIFIC ROLE
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Interpersonal
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Figurehead
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Liaison
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Leadership
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Informational
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Monitor
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Disseminator
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Spokesperson
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Decisional
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Entrepreneur
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Disturbance Handler
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Resource Allocator
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Negotiator
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WHAT SKILLS ARE NECESSARY TO OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY AS A MANAGER?
Given the complexity of management, it is not possible to list all the necessary skills; however, a representative sample of the general and specific skills that managers need is presented below:
GENERAL SKILLS:
Interpersonal skills: Those management skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and leading, that are necessary to work with others.
Technical skills: The knowledge and ability to accomplish the specialized activities of the work group.
Conceptual skills: the intellectual abilities to process information and make accurate decisions about the work group and the job task.
SPECIFIC SKILLS:
Job Knowledge: Knowing the facts about equipment, materials, and the work process, as well as to relationships among all parts of the work operation.
Oral Communication: Orally presenting information to others in such a manner that the information means the same to everyone.
Persuasiveness: Influencing others who have different viewpoints to reach agreement on an acceptable plan of action.
Problem Analysis: Determining why a situation does not conform to standards and deciding what to do about it.
Cooperativeness: Working easily and well with others in group projects.
Tolerance of Stress: Continuing work performance in adverse or hostile circumstances.
Negotiation: Arriving at mutually acceptable joint decisions.
Assertiveness: Clearly and consistently expressing a point of view on a topic being discussed.
Initiative: Determining what work activities must be pursued and starting them.
Source: Robert D. Gatewood et al, Management: Comprehension, Analysis, and Application (Chicago, IL: Irwin) 1995.
MAJORS EARN THE BSBA
For management majors at Clarion University the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree is designed to provide the knowledge, understanding, analytical abilities, basic skills (including computer applications), and values essential for success in entry-level management positions.
The BSBA also provides a foundation for individual education, development, and achievement required for positions of increasing responsibility. The program prepares students for most graduate programs leading to the Master of Business Administration (MBA).
EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS ARE MANY
Numerous employment opportunities exist in management and related fields. Our recent management graduates are employed as management trainees, personnel managers, planners, operations managers, business managers, and owners/managers of small business firms.
In addition to offering a management major, the Department of Administrative Science encourages students to take advantage of the Cooperative Education and Internship Programs, which provide practical experience in management. These on-the-job, supervised educational experiences are designed to develop the maturity and professionalism desired by employers. Internships also allow career exploration and supplement classroom theory with practical experience.
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