Theory question 106
Business ManagementMadam Fana, the human resources manager of Baku limited, is due to start her annual leave. She wishes to assign one of her assistants to perform her duties in her absence.
(i) Identify and explain the organizational principle on which Madam Fana has based her decision.
(ii) State four duties of Madam Fana in Baku limited.
(iii) Explain the following management functions: (a) Planning; (b) Organizing; (c) Directing; (d) Controlling.
Show the model answer
(i) Delegation (of authority): a superior assigns part of her duties and the authority to carry them out to a subordinate, though she remains responsible for the outcome.
(ii) Any four duties of a human resources manager: recruiting, selecting and placing staff; training and developing staff; staff appraisal and promotion; handling welfare, wages and benefits; discipline and dismissal; relating with labour unions; keeping staff records; planning manpower needs.
(iii)(a) Planning: setting objectives and deciding in advance how to achieve them.
(b) Organizing: grouping tasks into departments/jobs, assigning them to people and providing resources.
(c) Directing: guiding, leading, motivating and supervising staff to carry out plans.
(d) Controlling: measuring performance against set standards and correcting deviations.
The principle is delegation; remember responsibility cannot be delegated.