General concept on management

As a rule, the objectives of various enterprises differ. Usually, their concerns are limited by law, but they are often invested with functions, that affect the nature and quality of the end product. Such functions are: technical, business and engineering ones. A possible breakdown of the technical functions would be: a) direct activity, including technology and b) indirect activities, including testing and research engineering, personnel relations, public relations, accounting and budgeting. The former appear to constitute the "production" of the company, the line activities; the latter are primarily auxiliary to the main purpose.

Business functions include budget control, accounting and auditing, records, purchasing, personnel management, property control and office operations.

Engineering functions consists of planning, programming, research, materials control.

Management concerns the guidance of the staff firstly. That's why much attention should be given to personnel relations and public relations. Organisation may provide the framework, but it takes people to do the job. Effective personnel administration involves more than hiring and firing. It is important to understand the motivations of individuals in relation to their jobs. Beyond fair compensation and attractive working conditions, employees are interested in participation, recognition, opportunity, security, and communication. So, there is scope for progressive management if it actively uses recruitment program and in-service training for higher positions. Well-developed and widely understood systems of promotion and transfer are conductive to good employee relations.

The development of internal relations in an organisation is a major factor in achieving a high level of performance. But it has the further purpose of improving the external relations of the organisation with the environment in which it must work. Successful and satisfied employees are the organization's best salesmen, especially in the public service.

Public relations are considered as external contacts. The external relations of any organisation are important. It has been said that performance plus reporting equals public relations. So, the goal of good business policy is a "higher" value in the scale of management commitments in the public service.