Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
1.1 Session 1 -3
Q1 The term organization A group or institution arranged for efficient work. 3 key elements: people, purpose and structure Reasons why organizations exist To fulfill social needs To achieve efficiency Division of labour Specialisation
Q2 Organisation chart Definition with diagrams It defines the control system, command structure, the linking mechanisms between roles, allocation of formal responsibilities and authority, the relationship between departments, tasks and people. 4 ways of structure Simple Functional Divisional Matrix Definition for each together with advantages and disadvantages. Q3 Compare and contrast classical and human relations approaches to management 1) Classical reflect the work 2) Human Relations identified by Elton Mayo emphasis on the importance of individual to management Frederick Taylor scientific management Henri Fayol administrative theory Max Weber/Rosemary Stewart bureaucratic model
Session 11 1 May 22th , 2005
1) Main theory: need to fulfill worker social needs (pay than just offering pay and job security) Social need focus on friendship in workplace; group working and attitudes to work Main difference is whether focus on the individuals values and contributions. Reasons why different approach Contingency approach management approach need to fit the situations. Large organization needs some structured/formality standardized procedures. Small ones operating in changing circumstances need to be more flexible, ie. Less formal and standardized. Q4 Henry Mintzbergs 3 management roles This is a quite theoretical question and needs memory. Dont forget to put into your understanding . Try to write down 1-2 sentence for the subtitles. I Interpersonal (Leading): Figurehead: focus of attention and have accountability Leader: about hiring, dismissing, developing and influencing Liaison: building relationship outside the organisation Informational (administrating) Monitor: Disseminator: Spokesperson: Decision (fixing) Entrepreneur: Disturbance handler: Resource-allocation: Negotiator:
II
III
Management is simply about planning? Planning involves deciding what the organization/departments will do in the future
Session 11 2 May 22th , 2005
Session 11
Q11 Q12
Task achieving Provide motivation: enhance responsibility Free up managers time Enhance job more interesting and challenging Make use of others skills / knowledge Opportunity to gain new experience and promotion Probable reasons for not knowing how to delegate Inappropriate choice of subordinates Inadequate briefing is provided to subordinates Too much interference by manager Delegation of insufficient authority to complete the tasks No rewarding Failure to monitor/supervise Q14 Definition : Responsibility, Authority and Delegation (refer to notes and text) Problems: refer to Q13 Overcome: opposite action to problems shown above Performance management: Definition Process or steps: 5 steps Advantages: Security Opportunity to learn/develop Managerial commitment to employee support (training) Construction appraisal (4 stages) provide feedback Careful development plan Job satisfaction improved performance
Q15
iii) Identifying a source of potential candidates by using the most cost effective method like b) Recruitment and selection plan (Omitted here and it has been tested in Dec 2004 paper. Look through the suggested answer by yourselves) Q2 The question has just been tested in Dec 2004 Q3 in full. Read yourselves. Q3 a) Information to be included in the job advertisement: Organisational: name, size, nature of product and industry Job description: title, duties, personality required, physical condition, challenges of the work and salary with benefit; Person specification: education, qualification, experience, personality, technical knowledge Administrative matters: how to apply and dates for interviewing b) 5 factors to influence the choice of advertising media List down the possible media available to choose 5 factors: i) Cost: budget and how senior? ii)Type of job: senior exposed to nationalwise and junior through local media iii)Circulation: the scope of people we want to attract and actual situation iv)Frequency of recruitment: how often and how many poisitions v)Effectiveness: what is previous advertisement experience purpose of the selection interview
Q 4 a)
- Part of process of finding the best person for the job from a pool of candidates; - The interview is an opportunity to identify more information about candidates - An opportunity to assess the knowledge, ability, personality and motivation of the candidates - Finally it is the place to provide the candidate with more information about the job - To answer their question and ensure all of them obtain a favorable impression on the company
Session 11
- Time consuming - Full stress to candidates - Subjectivity and bias - Unsuitable method of assessment: inappropriate for assessing certain attributes like practical skills and honesty c) d) How do inexperience interviewers damage the effectiveness Ineffective question/listening Lack of structure to interview Lack of preparation Allow person bias / prejudice to influence their decision 4 key skills Preparation Appropriate use of questions Effective listening Structure Objectives Evaluation
Q5 Describe and discuss the main selection techniques Definition of selection Main techniques: application form, interview and testing (including references) Detailed description of each technique 2-3 advantages and disadvantages for each technique
Q6 Why a diverse workforce is beneficial? Explain the meaning of a diverse workforce: people of different sex, age, religion and disabilities. The employment related decision is made on basis of ability, experience and potential. Benefits include: Availability of wider pool of talent selected from employing people who can perform well in their job and enhance the productivity; Appropriate moral stance (right they would do). Their may be an advantage in terms of customers goodwill, customer loyalty and good publicity; Wide range individual working for the organization will enhance its ability to understand the need of its customers and other outside organization and individual. Motivation is improved through wide span of training and development.
Session 11 7 May 22th , 2005
1.3 Session 6-7 Q1 Two schools of learning Behvioural school: stimulus response Cognitive school: information processing Honey and Mumfords theory on learning styles (4) refer to Pilot Paper Q4 Experiential learning cycle (4) refer to Pilot Paper Q4 Q2 Disadvantages of the above training methods Plant work: receive on the job training with support of coaching from one of supervisors on the job: slow, mistakes and can not cover all situations coaching: interrupt, not trainers (lack of effectiveness) and may teach bad habits like Management accounting
qualified staff with a mentor approach may not be willing to approach to metors inconsistency: get different training not up to date e.g. new management techniques Alternatives and their disadvantages
Session 11
identify organizational objectives; identify the jobs that need to perform in order to achieve those objectives review the performance of the jobs to establish if it is adequate to achieve the objectives This can be done by: Interview with staff Observation of staff Record of employee performance Staff and customer survey Methods to satisfy needs
External training: sending staff on a course conducted by a training company. Main advantages: benefit from skills/knowledge of specialist trainer Self study: provide training materials + advantanges: minimize the costs Computer based training: provide training on PC by using special training software, effective, flexiable but expensive to develop Mentoring/coaching: provide one-to-one guidance to employees, personalized to individual needs but take up a lot of supervisors time Evaluation
Five levels by Hamblin: trainee reaction: enjoyment/usefulness the new skills and knowledge acquired: what skills/attitudes have be acquired job behaviour: how has job performance changed - organizational function:impact of orgs activities ultimate value: how has the org benefited Supervisors would gather information required through questions arising And interviews, assessment, observation and viewing other performance measures Refer to the objectives of the training Q4 Purpose of an appraisal system Define appraisal 1 aids personnel planning 2 allows performance and potential to be assessed 3 highlights training needs 4 contributes to the setting of objectives and reward levels Objectives
Session 11 9 May 22th , 2005
Q5 Training programme for an appraisal interview 1) collection and completion of necessary documentation 2) administration 3) content of the meeting Skills to carry out the effective interview Questioning and listening Persuasion Negotiation Tact Objectivity Ability to put an aprraisal at ease Q6 (you should be able to identify the 3 requirements in the question) 1 Part of the managers job 2 Why does manager seek to avoid embarrassment general reluctance pressure of other work: no time feeling that staff work is adequate lack of training
Session 11 10 May 22th , 2005
1.4 Session 8-9 Q1 Maslows hierarchy of needs and weekness Refer to Dec 2002 Q5 Q2 Herzbergs theory and strenghs and weaknesses
Q3 Rewards (read carefully the suggested answer in Pilot Paper Q5) Q4 Skills a leader might possess Refer to notes for 5 skills: confidence, administrative ability, personal skill, flexibility and energy Action-centred leadership and its 3 major goals Definition Goals: task needs: set objectivity, planning, responsibility allocation, set performance standards group needs: communication, team building, motivation, discipline individual needs: coaching/counseling and motivation
Session 11
11
Some technical articles for your reference Communication If there is one prerequisite that sets accountancy apart from other professions, it is the need to communicate clearly and concisely both internally and externally. Communication is the core activity of the accounting profession, transmitting information from one person to another, from one organisation to another or a combination of both and to the shareholders and other stakeholders of the organisation. The function of communication is to ensure that every member of the organisation knows what is expected. Good communication is critical in ensuring coordination and control of individuals, groups and departments. Good communication ensures individuals know what is expected of them, that the appropriate person receives the correct information and that there is coordination within the organisation. It ensures control of the organisations plans and procedures and that instructions given to staff by management are understood. Group and team cohesiveness is encouraged and stress can be reduced. Many problems such as bias, distortion and omission are often the result of poor communication. However, these can be reduced and removed, as can secrecy, rumour and innuendo. This can result in the added advantage of conflict reduction. Clear and concise communication and the consequences of poor communication need to be understood by the accountancy profession. Poor communication leads to ineffective control, poor coordination and inevitably management failure. Very often, the simplest barrier to communication is not recognised as such. In many organisations directors, managers and staff use different phrases and expressions, a certain recipe for disaster but easily remedied. This problem stems from many different sources including the personal background of the individuals communicating (including language differences and jargon used by the different professions and individuals with different levels of education). The concept of organisational noise is often an issue. In this context noise refers to the message being confused by matters unrelated to the topic, or overload where too much information is being communicated. Brevity can often be the surest way of ensuring successful communication. The different perception of individuals can lead to conflict within the organisation and thus to a communication barrier, as can the distance between those individuals communicating with each other. This is often overlooked in the business environment and can lead to distortion of information and thus misunderstanding between departments and individuals. Communication cannot take place if there are barriers to the communication process. These must be recognised and, as far as possible, removed. Barriers to communication can be overcome by consideration of the needs and understanding of the message receivers with careful and clear reporting, clear expression and the avoidance of jargon or abbreviations. The use of more than one communication system can assist, as does the encouragement of dialogue rather than monologue, and of course ensuring that there are as few links as possible in the communication chain.
Session 11
12
Appraisal Appraisal systems are often misunderstood and mismanaged. Appraisals are central both to human resource management and performance management. Understanding their role, objectives, benefits and purpose is important
Session 11
13
Pass rates
Relevant to: All Papers Professional Scheme Below are the ACCA pass rates for recent sessions of examinations. These pass rates relate to the new Professional Scheme syllabus: Papers 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.1 2.2 2.3 Dec 2004 47 54 55 51 45 52 June 2004 45 41 52 49 47 54 Dec 2003 44 57 48 63 52 48 June 2003 48 46 59 50 50 47 Dec 2002 47 47 41 50 52 50 June 2002 55 46 42 49 49 57 Dec 2001 52 45 39 52 48 54
Session 11
16
Session 11
17