The Development of Management Thought-November 2009

[Golda]

Question 1 (a) (b)

(a) Using a business organisation of your choice, compare and contrast
the roles and functions of a first line supervisor with those of a
middle manager (16 marks)

Hint: Allocate discussion of the supervisor's role for 8 marks and the
middle manager's role for 8 marks. Help in answering this question may
be found in the introduction unit of your ABE manual.

(b) Explain why bureaucratic structure and a role culture might be
appropriate for middle managers in a large scale organisation (9 marks)

[Suzette Matterson]

Nov 2008 Question 1 (a)
Using a business organization of your choice, compare and contrast

the roles and functions of a first line supervisor with those of a
middle manager (16 marks)

Answer:

Diagram 1.0 Automobile Sales Organnization.



The diagram above represents the organizational structure of an
Automobile Company.

The First Line Supervisor position is represented by the Team Leader
Supervisor. It is the lowest level in the hierarchy and is responsible
for the operation of discrete tasks and non-managerial personnel. The
Team Leaders report directly to the Sales Manager. Their main function
is concerned with the undertaking of actual work processes and this is
why they are referred to as the Technical level in the hierarchy.


The Middle Management level - the “meat in the sandwich” is
represented in the diagram above by the Sales Manager. He reports
directly to the directors or Senior Management and is responsible for
the work of managers at a lower level (Team Leaders). The decisions
made at the Middle Management Level form the objectives for the next
level in the hierarchy in this case the team Leader/First Line
Supervisors.

(b) Explain why bureaucratic structure and a role culture might be

appropriate for middle managers in a large scale organization (9
marks)

Answer:

Middle Managers in a large scale organization would be wise to adopt
bureaucratic structure in the carrying out of their organizational
goals as it contains all of the elements necessary to enable them to
pursue organizational goals effectively and efficiently.
- It provides a clear and distinct division of labor which allows the
manager to provide specific tasks to their subordinates at the lower
levels of the hierarchy.
- The hierarchy of authority provides a precise and clearly defined
authority over subordinates in a particular field.
- The System of Rules & Procedures is consistent and has guidelines
set to cover all possible foreseeable events and a set of policies
in place fro unforeseeable events.
- Impersonality in the Bureaucratic structure allows for impartial and
equitable treatment both internally with subordinates and externally
with customers.
- Employment in the Bureaucratic structure provides a certain amount
of job certainty – salaries are related to positions occupied rather
than individual talents, promotions are governed partly by achievement
and partly by seniority, and job security is absolute subject to good
behavior.