Explain the technique of ‘Functional Foremanship’ and the concept of ‘Mental Revolution’ as enunciated by Taylor.
The foreman represents the managerial figure with whom the workers are in direct contact on a daily basis. In this technique Taylor suggests the separation of planning and execution functions. And through this technique the workers are free from planning functions and are more focused on work and production. Functional foremanship is the extension of the principle of division of work and specialization to the shop floor. In the factory there was a planning incharge and a production incharge and each department had four functional experts to supervise and give orders to workers. Under planning incharge the four personnel are instruction card clerk, route clerk, time and cost clerk and a disciplinarian. And under production incharge the four personnel are speed boss, gang boss, repair boss and inspector. The foreman should have intelligence, education, tact, grit, special knowledge, manual dexterity, energy and honesty. But all these qualities could not be found in a single person so Taylor eight specialists and assigned them work according to their qualification and qualities.
Mental Revolution
Mental revolution means to change in the attitude of workers as well as the management towards one another from competition to cooperation. Both should realize that they require each one another. And both should work in the aim to achieve the goal of the organization by achieving more surpluses. And the management should share the surplus with the workers and they should also give their best for the betterment of the company and should not make any illegal demand with the management so that the company can achieve their goal and maximum profit. And this attitude will be good for both of them and for the company also. In this technique Taylor emphasizes drastically changing the attitude of both the groups for prosperity of the business.
Define scientific management. State any three of its principles.
Discuss the relevance of Taylor and Fayol’s contribution in the contemporary business environment.
‘Bhasin’ limited was engaged in the business of food processing and selling its products under a popular brand. Lately the business was expanding due to good quality and reasonable prices. Also with more people working the market for processed food was increasing. New players were also coming to cash in on the new trend. In order to keep its market share in the short run the company directed its existing workforce to work overtime. But this resulted in many problems. Due to increased pressure of work the efficiency of the workers declined. Sometimes the subordinates had to work for more than one superior resulting in declining efficiency. The divisions that were previously working on one product were also made to work on two or more products. This resulted in a lot of overlapping and wastage. The workers were becoming indisciplined. The spirit of teamwork, which had characterized the company, previously was beginning to wane. Workers were feeling cheated and initiative was declining. The quality of the products was beginning to decline and market share was on the verge of decrease. Actually the company had implemented changes without creating the required infrastructure.
a. Identify the Principles of Management (out of 14 given by Henry Fayol) that were being violated by the company.
b. Explain these principles in brief.
c. What steps should the company management take in relation to the above principles to restore the company to its past glory?
State the main objective of time study.
Explain the principle of ‘Scalar Chain’ and gang plank.
Discuss the following techniques of Scientific Work Study:
a. Time Study
b. Motion Study
c. Fatigue Study
d. Method Study
e. Simplification and standardisation of work
A production manager at top level in a reputed corporate, Mr. Rathore holds the responsibility for ordering raw material for the firm. While deciding on the supplier for the financial year 2017-18, he gave the order to his cousin at a higher price per unit instead of the firm’s usual supplier who was willing to lower the rates for the order. Which principle of management was violated by Mr. Rathore? What are the positive impacts of following the above identified principle?
(Further information related to the above question 6) The management of company Bhasin Limited now realised its folly. In order to rectify the situation it appointed a management consultant -Mukti Consultants - to recommend a restructure plan to bring the company back on the rails. Mukti Consultants undertook a study of the production process at the plant of the company Bhasin Limited and recommended the following changes —
• The company should introduce scientific management with regard to production.
• Production Planning including routing, scheduling, dispatching and feedback should be implemented.
• In order to separate planning from operational management ’Functional foremanship’ should be introduced.
• ‘Work study’ should be undertaken to optimise the use of resources.
• ‘Standardisation’ of all activities should be implemented to increase efficiency and accountability.
• To motivate the workers ‘Differential Piece Rate System’ should be implemented.
(The above changes should be introduced apart from the steps recommended as an answer to Part c - case problem 6 above.) It was expected that the changes will bring about a radical transformation in the working of the company and it will regain its pristine glory.
a. Do you think that introduction of scientific management as recommended by M consultants will result in intended outcome?
b. What precautions should the company undertake to implement the changes?
c. Give your answer with regard to each technique separately as enunciated in points 1 through 6 in the case problem.
SanakLal and Gagan started their career in Wales Limited (a printing press) after going through a rigorous recruitment process. Since they had no prior work experience, the firm decided to give them one year to prove themselves. Name the principle of management followed by Wales Limited.
Explain any four points regarding significance of principles of management.
How does planning provide direction?
What is meant by staffing?
Identify the network of social relationships which arises spontaneously due to interaction at work.
What is informal communication?
State the meaning of controlling.
What is meant by capital structure?v
What is meant by management?
What is a Treasury Bill?
State any two advantages of branding to marketers of goods and services?
Under which consumer right does a business firm set up consumer grievance cell?
Discuss Maslow’s Need Hierarchy theory of motivation.
Describe the process of employee selection with detailed steps.
In an attempt to cope with Reliance Jio’s onslaught in 2018, market leader Bharti Airtel has refreshed its ₹ 149 prepaid plan to offer 2 GB of 3G/4G data per day, twice the amount it offered earlier. Name the type of plan is highlighted in the given example. ? State its three dimensions also.
State the different networks of grapevine communications.
State the meaning of controlling.
Explain the various types of plans used in management.
What is a Financial Market?
State the basic features of management as a profession.
Product is a bundle of utilities. Explain.
Coordination is the essence of management. Do you agree? Give reasons.