JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B.Tech III INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT Previous Question Paper (August - 2022 - R18)

The basic functions of management, as defined by Henri Fayol, are the fundamental activities that managers perform to achieve organizational goals efficiently. These functions are:

1. Planning: This is the primary function involving the determination of objectives and the formulation of strategies, policies, and procedures to achieve them. It bridges the gap between where the organization is and where it wants to be.
2. Organizing: This involves identifying and grouping the work to be performed, defining and delegating responsibility and authority, and establishing relationships for the purpose of enabling people to work most effectively together.
3. Staffing: This function focuses on human resource management, including the recruitment, selection, training, development, and compensation of personnel to fill the roles created by the organizational structure.
4. Directing: This is the process of influencing, guiding, and motivating employees to perform their assigned tasks. It involves leadership, communication, and supervision to ensure that the organizational goals are met.
5. Controlling: This involves monitoring organizational performance, comparing it against established standards, and taking corrective actions when deviations occur to ensure that the actual results align with the planned objectives.

An autocratic style of leadership, also known as authoritarian leadership, is a management approach where the leader holds absolute power and makes decisions independently with little to no input from subordinates. The leader dictates policies, procedures, and tasks, expecting full compliance from the team.

The distinguishing features of this style include:

• Centralized Decision-Making: All major decisions are made solely by the leader; subordinates are expected to follow instructions without questioning.
• Top-Down Communication: Information flows strictly from the leader to the subordinates. There is minimal feedback or upward communication.
• Strict Supervision: The leader maintains close control over the work process, often monitoring performance continuously to ensure adherence to specific standards.
• Clear Structure: Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, which can lead to high efficiency in high-pressure or crisis situations where rapid decision-making is required.
• Lack of Employee Participation: Subordinates have little autonomy or influence, which can lead to low morale and reduced creativity in the long term.