People and Organisations - Types of Management in an Organization

Types of Management in an Organization

There are many different managers in an organization across many different titles, authority levels, and levels of the management hierarchy.

Most organizations have three management levels:

• Low-level managers;
• Middle-level managers; and
• Top-level managers.

These managers are classified in a hierarchy of authority, and perform different tasks. In many organizations, the number of managers in every level resembles a pyramid.

Followings are the specifications of each level’s different responsibilities and their likely job titles.

Top-level managers

The board of directors, president, vice-president, and CEO are all examples of top-level managers.

These managers are responsible for controlling and overseeing the entire organization. They develop goals, strategic plans, company policies, and make decisions on the direction of the business.

In addition, top-level managers play a significant role in the mobilization of outside resources.

Top-level managers are accountable to the shareholders and general public.

Middle-level managers

General managers, branch managers, and department managers are all examples of middle-level managers. They are accountable to the top management for their department’s function.

Middle-level managers devote more time to organizational and directional functions than top-level managers. Their roles can be emphasized as:

• Executing organizational plans in conformance with the company’s policies and the objectives of the top management;
• Defining and discussing information and policies from top management to lower management; and most importantly
• Inspiring and providing guidance to low-level managers towards better performance.

Some of their functions are as follows:

• Designing and implementing effective group and intergroup work and information systems;
• Defining and monitoring group-level performance indicators;
• Diagnosing and resolving problems within and among work groups;
• Designing and implementing reward systems supporting cooperative behavior.

Low-level managers

Supervisors, section leads, and foremen are examples of low-level management titles. These managers focus on controlling and directing.

Low-level managers usually have the responsibility of:

• Assigning employees tasks;
• Guiding and supervising employees on day-to-day activities;
• Ensuring the quality and quantity of production;
• Making recommendations and suggestions; and
• Up channeling employee problems.

Also referred to as first-level managers, low-level managers are role models for employees. These managers provide:

• Basic supervision;
• Motivation;
• Career planning;
• Performance feedback; and
• Staff supervision.