Effective management: The use of three management systems and resource of organisation development to aid and illuminate the process of general management consultancy

Erskine, R. K (1985) Effective management: The use of three management systems and resource of organisation development to aid and illuminate the process of general management consultancy. MLitt(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Abstract

The research theme was chosen within a topic of interest to Practising managers, a theme in Which little research had been published. Managerial Effectiveness had been researched extensively by behavioural scientists, but few had given attention to getting Managerial Effectiveness in organisations through using applied management systems over the manufacturing organisation as a whole, in terms other than behaviouraI. Few had really given thought to the simple question, for instance, of what were the few and key management systems of manufacturing organisations which needed integrating to improve performance. From this basic question and slender indication from the literature the researcher mooted that the important company systems would be those which gave direction, policy and strategy, those Which offered a transmission mechanism for vertical and lateral communication throughout the organisation, those which offered a capability of feedback and calculation of projection data to answer ''what-if' questions and offer logistic Profiles, and those team resources that assisted organisations to develop and change, These were four distinct fields and are recognised separately in the literature, namely, Long Range Corporate Planning, Management by Objectives, Computerised Management Information Systems, Organisation Development, (LRCP, MbO, MIS, OD). A key Point of research interest was how these four distinct areas could be integrated and then applied to improve organisationaI Performance. It Was envisaged that much action research would be needed to Give this research credibility. Thus the research would be developed from the viewpoint of a business consultant undertaking General management assignments. The central thrust of the research became one of developing a consultancy methodology arising from use of these management systems and a knowledge of the significant Points of interface revealed from the action research. The research sequence begins with a wide ranging review of the literature to encapsulate the essential features of each of the four designated areas, LRCP, MbO, MIS, OD. Next is taken an action research sequence from the Honeywell Residential Division USA, which is Perceived as a major success manifestation, in which all four management system models were utilised. This yielded a definition of the elusive Points of interface and offered a strategy for implementation of the systems together and synergetically. Further action research sequences within the Honeywell organisation were reported on ,which had an aim of repIicating the approach of Residential Division USA within other Divisions of the UK, Holland and Germany. This provided a set of ''Good Practice' norms and models ready for General replication by a consultant in other organisations. The nature and application of the theory of Organisation Development was Perceived as Particularly difficult, so a critical analysis was undertaken as an action research study following Lupton and Warmington at a large manufacturer in the West Midlands, and many useful insights were reported. An outline consultancy methodology was now defined and ready for experimental use. An 18 month study was accomplished at 'West of Scotland Manufacturer' and this action research yielded credible data for the diagnostic Phase of consultancy. A further two action research sequences were completed in other organisations to validate the Phase of intervention and treatment of organisations for their manifestations of ineffectiveness. Progress was reported within the short Period of 8 weeks. The research ends with the Provision of 12 conclusions, a statement of research limitations and some tentative suggestions of further research topics from this research theme. At many Points in the research there are offerings of 'good Practice' supportable suggestions, relating with management systems and their contribution to Managerial Effectiveness.

Item Type: Thesis (MLitt(R))
Qualification Level: Masters
Keywords: Management
Date of Award: 1985
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1985-76575
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 14:07
Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 14:07
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76575

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