Management responsibility
Yvonne Harvey, Contributor

You will recall that last week's lesson dealt with the functions of management. We defined management as an art that combines human and non-human resources of an organisation and directs the activities of an organisation so its goals may be met.

Since organisations operate within a community, they do not exist in isolation. This means, therefore, that all members of the organisation have some responsibility towards the community.

Responsibility means an obligation or mandate to carry out a duty. The higher up in the hierarchy (rank) of the organisation a person is, the greater will be that person's responsibility. Managers have a great degree of responsibility since they are high up in the hierarchy.

The management of an organisation is responsible to the owners of the organisation, the employees, the customers and society, which includes the government.

Let us now turn our attention to the ways in which managers are responsible to these groups.

Responsibilities to owners

1. To maximise efficiency and achieve the highest rate of profits so owners will get reasonable returns on their investment.

2. To notify owners about changes in the marketplace and possible needs for diversification.

3. To reinvest profits or accumulate assets with the owners' permission in order to ensure growth and development.

4. To ensure the employment of an able-bodied and efficient workforce.

5. To keep proper accounts and to provide regular and accurate financial (and other) information.

Management's responsibilities to employees

1. To give them fair wages.

2. To give protection against unfair dismissal, that is, to ensure future employment, as far as possible.

3. To provide safe and clean working conditions so workers are encouraged to work.

4. To provide adequate training and education and the means for them to progress within the organisation.

5. To provide medical assistance and compensation for industrial injury, especially when working in a dangerous environment.

6. To ensure that there is no discrimination against certain classes of workers, for example, against union members.

7. To maintain good communication and interpersonal relations among staff.

8. To motivate workers to do their jobs.

Responsibilities to customers

1. To provide safe good quality products to the public in the quantity required at reasonable and competitive prices.

2. To carry out fair trading practices and guard against misleading advertisements.

3. To inform and educate customers about products.

4. To allow customers to benefit from a reduction in production costs.

5. To deliver customers' orders on time with few, if any, transportation problems.

6. To give priority to export orders.

7. To offer compensation for injury suffered legitimately on its premises.

8. To conduct research and development in order to improve the quality of the product and reduce its prices.

9. To provide after-sales services.

Responsibilities to society

1. To reduce, if not eliminate, harm and danger caused to people by production, for example, to reduce air pollution caused through smoke from sugar factories, and to reduce noise and effluence.

2. To conserve scare resources, for example, water.

3. To preserve local culture and tradition.

4. To promote social improvement by offering scholarships and awards and sponsoring community events.

5. To assist and beautify the community.

6. To adhere to and observe the laws of the country.

7. To observe international and domestic regulations regarding trade.

8. To pay taxes when due.

9. To honour all government contracts professionally.

Although managers can delegate tasks to subordinates, the ultimate responsibility always remains with the manager.

With the aid of the information above, tackle the following question:

(a) Define the term management responsibility. (2 marks)

(b) Mr Jones is the manager of a large business in your community. Identify four groups of persons to whom Mr Jones is responsible. For each group, say what Mr Jones is responsible to do. (8 marks)

Total marks: 10

The computer lab at Denbigh High School's distance education centre. Photo by Michael Lee

Yvonne Harvey teaches at Glenmuir High School.