Management
Mary Parker Follet has been one of the famous and prominent experts in the management sector. According to him, people are the most effective tools for the implementation of planned things, which has been referred as Management by him. The kind of functional management is one when the initial plan is put to action to reach the pre-set target. In a business, different people work in different perspectives under shade, but for the fulfillment of one objective. Thus, a group of people are directed and controlled by the involvement of management, which has been considered as another important definition of this term. Management comprises the proper deployment of:
- Human Resources
- Financial Resources
- Technological Resources, and
- Natural Resources
The most important attribute of a manager is his or her ability to control, direct and mange people so that the project works smoothly and successfully.
Management’s Basic Elements
Some of important functions through which a good Management operates are:
- Planning: foreseeing the future needs and deciding upon the action plan.
- Organizing: making maximum utilization of all resources for executing the plan.
- Motivating: first exhibiting the skills yourself for others to follow suit.
- Coordinating: matching things to fit in and making people work together for a common goal.
- Controlling: intermittant checking and monitoring progress against original plan (Barrett, p. 50)
Personal Management
Personnel management, in quite sometime past, was simply considered as an activity concerning the hiring of employees. But with the passage of time as business grew more complex, personnel management gained more importance and became more intricate than it was before in the 1800s. It was in early 1900s when employers and business entrepreneurs began to realize that it is the workers morale that affects productivity and that workers need reasonably sufficient amount of wages so as to be happy and content in their job. It was also a part of awakening and realization when a natural human instinct was considered in employees’ affairs. It was also realized that it is employees right to get acknowledgement and recognition of their work and hence a feeling of achievement, and that the employees too require an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect their work. The personnel managers then started caring for such needs of the employees by various programs such as company newsletters, recreation programs, and suggestion systems. In mid 1900s the labor unions were formed which soon became very powerful, resulting into the expansion of industrial relations. More responsibilities for personnel managers were created from the coming of Social Security Act of 1935. By virtue of this Act, the personal managers had to supervise employees’ retirement and unemployment benefits, in addition to their normal responsibilities. (Quinn, n.p.)
Planning
A Plan, in the broader sense, is a typical, well-thought-out procedure to achieve a goal. But when it comes to execution of the plan, it is the planning that assumes a more important dimension. According to Winston Churchill: “Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential “- Winston Churchill.
Planning is a term that implies the figuring out the details of a plan down to the level of its sub-components. Literally, planning simply means the formulation of a plan; it can be both simple as well as complex. In the modern times it has acquired a more technical meaning, covering the below areas that have relationship to resource utilization:
- Government
- Legislation, and
- Regulations
Planning is referred to the best and maximum use of resources, as in the case of a series of five-year-plans. However, the term is often used in connection to the planning for the best use of resources like land, capital and labour especially in the Transportation and Urban planning etc. Planning, therefore, encompasses both the thinking and psychological process and the organizational process of creating and maintaining a plan about the future activities to be carried out on a specific scale. Thus, it is a result of intelligently deploying the resources which is of utmost importance for the creation and refinement of a plan. or its integration with other plans,
The term planning also refers to the formal procedures used in efforts as the creation of documents and diagrams; the holding of meetings to discuss the important issues that require to be addressed on the basis of time priority, the goals to be met, and the tactics and strategy that is to be followed. It has been observed that different perspectives, such as social, political, as well as, economic conditions influence the real meaning of the planning, which is quite unclear due to its different utilization around the globe.
Planning Process
The planning process constitutes of a number of different procedures, which are influenced and done on different grounds. In this regard, during the abovementioned process, usual plans are developed under a framework. In specific, some of the bases have been mentioned below:
- Ecology
- Economy
- Society, and
- National policy
After the plan framework is chalked out, comes the implementation stage. In addition, mechanical, instructive, and monetary aid programs can be utilized for the facilitation that may support the execution, as well as, implementation of these plans. In addition, different activities are required to complete each step of the planning process. Usually, the conservation plan is prepared by an individual, which plays the role of a decision maker in the planning process. One of the major features of a conservation plan is that the future state of an area is reflected by the conservation plan, which is often referred as an assessment. Moreover, an important role is also played by the customer, as well as, the stakeholder in the preparation of the management plan.
[Note: It is not necessary that stakeholders essentially be the decision-makers for the implementation of the planned activities.]
Development Administration & Planning (DAP)
What, in your view, are the major challenges posed to development planning and administration by the interaction between civil society, state and markets?
In recent decades, the globe has grown economically, as well as, socially at a faster speed, and international trade has played an important role in the expansion, as well as, progression of the humankind. During recent times, the history has witnessed an abrupt change in its growth, which needs proper planning and management for its maintenance, as well as, steady and stable growth. In addition, a major and crucial role has been played by the governments and private sectors in the continuation of the worldly growth. Moreover, urban, as well as, rural population has contributed significantly in the same aspect. Yet, poor and rich societies confront a major gap between each other. In many cases, increment has been observed in the inequalities between the abovementioned social classes. Thus, world is becoming smaller and smaller, and turning into a global village. On the other hand, poverty is increasing, and some nations and societies are lagging behind in darkness.
It has been observed that governments, as well as, private organizations confront a crucial challenge regarding the global development in the new century. In this regard, different countries are implementing different strategies according to their available resources. For instance, natural, cultural, and especially, human resources are being utilized effectively by the developing countries. On the other hand, an equitable and continuous development by the formulation of a framework has been the major concern of the developed countries, as well as, some of the international organizations. In this regard, achievement of these goals has become the responsibility of trained professionals around the world. Specifically, one of major and important concern of the expertise is the proper understanding of the factors that are responsible for the development, and vice versa. Thus, appropriate policies should be formulated by the experts, in order to provide better development goals to the global world.
In this regard, a number of organizations have been established for the ensuring of continuous global development. In this aspect, the Development Planning Unit is one of the international centres that are working for the abovementioned purpose. Some of the major objectives of the DPU are the provision of academic teaching, as well as, opportunities of practical training. Moreover, different fields have been chosen by the DPU of which, the development planning and management on the regional, as well as, urban level is one of the major fields of action of the DPU. In this regard, twelve staff members have been recruited by this department, and a research degree programme has been offered for the provision of postgraduate education. Furthermore, six MSc courses, as well as, a number of certificate programs have been offered by the department. Thus, approximately hundred students are provided with the abovementioned programs every year, which is a huge contribution by this department.
Strong interdisciplinary postgraduate course has been offered as Diploma Development Administration and Planning, which has been focused significantly in terms of teaching. Specifically, the growth and expansion of developing countries has been positively contributed by the provision of systematic, mechanical, as well as, practical knowledge and expertise by this course to the participants from around the world. In particular, diverse variety of confrontations can be responded appropriately by the formulation of required policies by these students after these courses. In the result, economic and social opportunities are provided to the populace in the developing countries. Moreover, export, as well as, production performance is improved by the implementation of implications that are practiced during the training. In other words, the basic objective of reduction of the poverty and inequality is fulfilled at some extent.
In addition, carrying out of exploration, education, and management in the DPU has been one of the main purposes of the course. In particular, the development, administration, and planning field have been preferred by the department.
Interaction between Civil Society, State and Markets
Very little was heard of a civil society in the past, but now the subject of global citizen action resounds so often from the corridors of power. The development and expansion of civil society has been influenced by a number of reasons. In this regard, the actions and efforts of global citizens have significantly contributed in this regard. However, recognition that has been given to the individual states, as well as, trade markets has played an important and crucial role in the development of civil society. Moreover, economy has also been influenced and benefited by the alteration in the health, success, as well as, polity that has become possible due to the abovementioned efforts. These include:
- The society matters,
- The social institutions count, and
- The citizens
In spite of the mushroom growth of non-government organisations (NGOs) and other civic associations in most of the countries, the civil society debate is yet confused, fragmented and hangs on the altar of contradictory interpretations. In this regard, an important question has been emerged in recent decades, which roams around the existence and identification of civil society as a traditional label, in terms of development of the developing world. Also, according to Michael Edwards,”Civil society has emerged as a major influence on development thinking”
The definition of civil society contains all associations and organisations that exist between the family and the state, but without the mention of business. Hence there is ardent need to discuss civil society from the business point of view. The economic role of civil society focusses on securing jobs and providing services in areas where states and markets are weak, and are merely eating up the “social capital”.. In their social role, civil societies can be a big store of co-operative values, caring, cultural life and intellectual innovation. (Thomas, n.p.)
Civil Society, State and Markets Interaction in Health Sector
The new institutional, technical, political and financial resources to health have been brought forth by the involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the health sector. How these resources can best be utilized towards local, national and international health goals? The plans, policies and programmes that seek to engage and utilize the resources within civil society for health need to be translated by experience and evidence. In this regard, a range of circumstances has been indicated by the World Health Organization. Specifically, the interactions and relations of state with the organizations of civil society that have primarily focused on health related goals have been occurring in the situations that have been noted by the WHO.
Civil Society Interaction Features in Health Sector
The following are some of the common features of civil society’s intervention in health that emerged from the facts under consideration. The study under review indicated that the civil society organizations (CSOs) provide innovative insights and approaches to the affected people and to participatory development (Loewenson, n.p.).
The CSOs initiate the provision of services to the poor communities hardly reached by the state or market. In addition, transparency, as well as, accountability is promoted by them, which is quite important in the process of decision-making. Moreover, job opportunities are created by them, which in other words, alleviate and reduce poverty. In broad perspective, advancement of human rights is another objective that is achieved by the CSOs. Subsequently, positive changes are made in the policies in different states, as well as, societies that support the needs of the people, and in the result, social status and economic conditions of the poor is improved. They have helped to generate formal and informal cultures of candidness, trust, communication and co-operation. There are certain services of some CSO, which include religious organisations that provide quality care at low cost. Recently, CSO methods and approaches were assessed in a comparative study. It was evaluated in the study that valid and transparent means were utilized by the CSOs for the identification of poor people. Also these methods were able to build more community and staff support. In the result, utilization of transparent methods encouraged the trust of community, and distrust was reduced. (Loewenson, n.p.)
In the result, a major and important role has been played by the expertise of CSO for the development of the society. On the other hand, demands from the CSO have advanced a lot, and a challenge has been confronted by them to contribute similarly in the future. In this respect, a number of efforts have been made by them for a sustainable healthy environment. Moreover, the delivery of services was encouraged by the CSO, and traditional involvement of CSOs was increased by the alteration in a policy. Thus, CSO has emerged as a powerful organization that can take any challenges and contribute accordingly. (Loewenson, n.p.)
Salient Features
Similar relativity has been observed in the internal characteristics of the CSO, as the welfare of states was considered by them. It has been indicated by most of the studies that health care needs of the populace are met by the imposition and implementation of concerned authorities, as well as, regulations. Thus, similar significance and potential has been observed in the state relations, as well as, community relations of the CSO. In this regard, potential enhancement has been observed in the role of CSO for its contribution in the health sector, as insufficient health resources were backed up by the planned mechanisms of the CSOs in the needed locations. (Loewenson, n.p.)
In cases where improvement and continuity has been observed in the healthcare services, the delivery of healthcare services has been considered more attentively, as compared to the previous activities. In the result, the important role of the private sector and similar organizations has been encouraged and appreciated by the governments. Thus, healthcare services are being mobilized by the interactions with the private organizations for the improvement and advancement of quality healthcare service. (Loewenson, n.p.)
CSO-State Interaction
A number of papers have been studied in this paper, and thus, it has been evaluated that the enhancement of service in the urban and developing areas has been primitive interest and objective of the government. On the other hand, wider interests have been expressed by the CSOs during their interactions within their organization, as well as, during their governmental interactions. Therefore, CSOs seeks to broaden the ambit and scope of the citizen rights. It also seeks to check the state power and hold policy-makers or the decision-makers accountable.
For instance, urban households with low income are provided with services from CSOs in the Philippines. On the other hand, pro-poor policies and approaches of mayors are also upheld by them, and thus, activities of the elected politicians are investigated closely by them. (Loewenson, n.p.)
In fact, less development has been observed in the approaches for the facilitation of the abovementioned role while comparing the tools for the support of services in the urban areas. For instance, Brazil is a good example of this role, where adolescent and child rights are protected by the councils of CSO that only works for the child rights in the country. On the contrast, there are a number of studies that document duality of the state towards CSO roles in community organization, monitoring rights and holding policy-makers and the decision-makers accountable. The state response to such roles ranges from cooperation, to indifference or non-responsiveness to hostility. (Loewenson, n.p.)
This duality, to a greater extent can be ascribed to the absence of clear mechanisms in the studies that might enable this kind of relationship between the state and CSOs. The significance of the formulation of legal and transparent frameworks was highlighted by a study that reviewed the initiatives related to the decentralization in around six countries. Moreover, managerial capabilities for the required needs have been investigated and associated with the frameworks in a relationship. In addition, the approaches for the strengthening of political objectives and delivery of financial services to the outreach have also been highlighted in the study. On the contrast, a study-review of sixty-seven (67) CSOs working with the poor urban people in India found connections with the state to be varied; to have formally weak mechanisms for partnership and co-ordination, and animosities over differences in CSO and state standpoints on the urban poor. (Loewenson, n.p.)
Major Challenges to Development Planning & Administration
Besides the outline plan for the economic and social concerns of residents, there are other issues that need to be addressed and emphasized. Some of the major challenges posed to Development Planning and Administration include:
- Community Safety
- Environmental Issues
- Highway and High Street Security
- Care for the Elderly
- Transport Issues
- Youth Issues
Challenges posed to China’s 11th Five Year Plan
Economic Challenges
The growth rates in China over the years have persistently exceeded the targets, for a bunch of reasons. The state mechanism suffers from a growth bias, whereas the investment especially at the low level tends to grow without a check. Until recently
The economic statistics have begun to show growth and the investment rate came to well above the target.
At the time when consumption is most needed, Chinese people tend to save rather than spend simply because of insecure circumstances and high costs related to social provision, an occurrence which may take years to get corrected. Although recently there has been a slight shift of central government resources towards rural areas, yet this increase is not big enough to bring the much needed result. This programme also included ways and means of reducing the burden from the country-dwellers’ shoulders
Social challenges: (stability maintaining factor)
The measures, which China adopted to meet its economic challenges, have a direct effect on social stability. The government officials have very clearly identified inequalities in the income as a cause of social chaos and turmoil. So they have moved, in the Five-Year-Plan at macroeconomic level, to address the issue of inequalities by improving social provision in the rural areas and by enhancing the scales at rural incomes. The development of the “new Socialist countryside” is clearly directed at fortifying social synchronization.
At the same time action is being taken to strengthen the physical capacity to control the social unrest and chaos on the streets by creating new units of the People’s Armed Police that is equipped with latest arms and weapons, the intention being to keep the rural mob under command and control.
Too many observers in China, there are also systemic deficiencies within the system and the plan itself that is a cause of this chaos and unrest. One, among many causes, is the lack of effective independent channel through which complaints of the aggrieved parties can be communicated to the protestor’s representatives. The other important reason for a feeling of insecurity and unrest is the absence of any effective system of check and preventive measures on the corruption and the pursuit of special interests within Party and government, especially at the local level, which triggers many of the protests and demonstrations. Without this change and preventive measures checking and controlling of the growth in unrest is simply unimaginable.
A research institute under China’s State Council very recently held a long meeting to discuss the reforms meant to give rise to sincere ideas for the leadership. According to the minutes of the meeting, which were confirmed to have been real, some high-ranking officials at the forum argued that the only solution to growing tensions lies n putting the government and the Communist Party on a firmer legal footing, while permitting the ordinary person, a layman in the street a greater access and louder say in the public affairs. This, in fact, is the biggest challenge, which China faces today, and which is very crucial for her next phase of development planning and administration.
Works Cited
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Bernthal, P.R. (2005). Management Development.
Cannell, M. Management Development (rev 2007).
Desai V (1999) Anatomy of the Bombay NGO sector. Environment & Urbanisation 11:247—65.
DPU. MSc Development Administration and Planning –Introduction. Web.
Rene Loewenson. Civil society – state interactions in national health systems. Web.
Richard Barrett (2003) Business & Economics. Web.
WHO/TARSC Annotated bibliography, n.p. Web.