Management level means the separation of authority and responsibility between different managerial positions. Although all the manager work like planning, organizing, staffing. leading, and controlling, there are levels among them.
What are the Levels of Management
Management level depends on its size, nature of organization, extent of production etc. For the convenience of study, the levels of management may be classified into three groups as shown in below figure. They are:
- Top Management
- Middle Management
- First-Line or Lower Management
1. Top Management
In the top management of an organization, the Board of Directors, Chairman, Managing Director or Chief Executive or General Manager is involved. They have overall responsibility for the organization's welfare and survival.
They establish the overall organizational goals and strategies for their achievement. The ultimate source of the top management authority. The important functions of top management include.
- To determine the goals of an organization.
- To make policies and frame plans to attain the goals._x000D_
- To set up an organizational structure to conduct the operations as per plan.
- To assemble the resources of money, men, materials and machines for executing the plans.
- To provide overall directions in the organization.
- To exercise effective control of the operations.
2. Middle Management
Middle management consists of departmental, divisional and sectional heads attached to the different departments and sections T hey are subordinates to the top managers and responsible for the first-line-managers.
They usually have the responsibility to implement and control plans and strategies developed by top management. They are responsible for all activities of the first line managers. The main functions of middle management are as follows management.
- To interpret the policies framed by the top
- Recruitment and selection of suitable operators and supervisory staff.
- To develop and train employees in the organization for better functioning.
- To assign duties and responsibilities for timely implementation of the plans.
- To issue instructions to the supervisory staff
- To motivate personnel to achieve high productivity and reward them properly.
- To cooperate with other departments for ensuring a smooth functioning of the entire organization.
- To report and to make suitable recommendations to the top management for the better execution of plans and policies.
3. First-Line or Lower Management
First-line or lower management consists of foremen, supervisors, sales officers, account officers, etc. First-line managers are responsible for the implementation and control of operational plans developed by the middle managers. Actual operations are the responsible of this level of management.
For guidance and direction, operators see them and they have important role in the implementation of plans and policies. The main functions of managing the first line are as follows:
- To issue orders and instruction to the operatives (workers) and to supervise and control their work.
- To classify and assign jobs to the workers.
- Directing and guiding workers about the work process.
- To arrange the necessary tools, equipment, materials, etc. for the workers.
- Take care of proper maintenance of equipment, machinery etc.
- To solve the problems of worker
- To maintain good human relations and discipline among the workers.
- To inform the unsolved problems of workers to the management.
- Creating a High Group Morale Between Workers
The job contents of these levels of management are shown in the following table: