Introduction to Management

Koontz and Weihrich defined management as the process of designing and maintaining an environment for the purpose of efficiently accomplishing selected goals. The management of an organization involves planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling the work of organization members to achieve pre-set objectives. While these functions form the basis of the managerial process, several other elements contribute to an understanding of how managers actually operate. For instance, managerial roles and skills are important factors in determining organizational performance. The chapter discusses the various managerial roles identified by Henry Mintzberg, the various levels of management in an organization and the skills needed at different levels. The chapter ends with a brief discussion of the various approaches to the study of management.