Administrative management

From CEOpedia | Management online

Administrative management "The word 'administration' comes from the Latin word Administrarc which is a combination of meaning "to" and ministrare signifying to 'minister' or 'serve'. Later, the word assumed the meaning, 'to govern'. Management comes from manus, meaning 'to control by hand'"[1].

Administrative management is often used to name form of bureaucratic organization. It heavily relies on formal competencies, procedures, processes undertaken by employees with strict measurement and control systems used for monitoring progress of work. Very important factor in administrative management is the necessity to create efficient information system to efficiently distribute data and knowledge within organization. Every management function involve administrative management in some extent, even agile software development methodology relies on procedures and rules for performing particular action which involve proper administrative procedures.

Managing Information

Administrative management has a lot to do with information and the management thereof. Administrative management includes the processes and resources required to maintain, protect, collect and retrieve information used in an organisation, company. It encompasses also storage and release of information , as well as cost accounting, bookkeeping, archive control and general office organisation.

"The administrative manager is usually also responsible for effective communication, office layout, office equipment and furniture, office procedures, workflow, systems analysis and design, automation, form analysis and controlling staff relations"[2]. Administrative management can also be considered as managing information through people. Administrative management had a limited scope in earlier years. In eariel the primary role administrative managers was to oversee employees who performed office tasks. Administrative management wasn't a separate organisation function as it is today.

The job titles of administrative managers in different organisations differ quite a lot. Among these titles we will also find:

  • administrative office manager
  • administrative manager,
  • office administrator
  • office support manager,
  • director of administration
  • director of administrative services.

All these positions share similar responsibilities[3].

Administrative Function

"Administrative management does not comprise one position, one office or one department, but rather the entire management component that works in an administrative capacity"[4]. The one of the basics functions that usually exist in an organisation is the administrative function. This function doesn't generate income for the organisation but provides specialised support to individuals and other organisation functions[5].

Advantages of Administrative management

Administrative management is the systematic process of managing the operations of a business, organization, or group in order to achieve predetermined objectives. This approach to management has become increasingly popular due to its emphasis on organization and effectiveness. Here are some of the advantages of administrative management:

  • It encourages efficient use of resources by ensuring that all activities are directed towards specific results.
  • It provides a framework for goal-setting, planning, organizing, and controlling activities and resources.
  • It allows for better decision-making, as well as an efficient way to monitor and measure progress.
  • It can help to build a sense of team spirit, as everyone is working towards a common goal.
  • It enables effective communication among all members of the organization, which in turn leads to smoother operations and improved relationships.
  • It helps to improve quality and customer service, as it emphasizes the importance of setting and meeting high standards.
  • It allows for better problem-solving and risk management by providing a structured process for identifying and addressing issues.

Limitations of Administrative management

Administrative management is a system of organizing and controlling activities in an organization to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. However, it is subject to the following limitations:

  • Lack of Standardization: Administrative management does not provide the same level of standardization as other management approaches, meaning it may not be effective for organizations that require a high degree of standardization.
  • Difficulty in Determining Goals: It can be difficult to determine the goals of an organization using administrative management, since the focus is on the processes and procedures rather than on the objectives.
  • Limited Focus on Quality: Administrative management does not have a strong focus on quality, as it focuses more on process and procedure than on the overall quality of the product or service.
  • Difficulty in Adapting to Change: The administrative management approach can be inflexible, making it difficult to adapt to changes in the external environment or the internal organization.
  • Lack of Innovation: Administrative management does not typically encourage or foster innovation, as it is focused more on following existing processes and procedures.
  • Costly: Administrative management can be costly, as it requires a significant investment in resources to implement and maintain.

Other approaches related to Administrative management

Administrative management is the process of overseeing and coordinating the operations of an organization. Other approaches related to Administrative management include:

  • Scientific management: This approach focuses on the development of efficient methods of production and the application of scientific principles in the workplace.
  • Human relations theory: This approach emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships in the workplace, and recognizes employee motivation as a key factor in organizational success.
  • Systems theory: This approach views organizations as a complex system of interrelated parts, and seeks to understand how these parts interact to create a whole.
  • Organizational behavior: This approach focuses on understanding individual and group behavior in the workplace and how it affects organizational performance.
  • Decision-making theory: This approach examines the decision-making process and how decisions can be made more effectively and efficiently.

In summary, Administrative management is the process of overseeing and coordinating the operations of an organization, and there are several other approaches that are related to it such as scientific management, human relations theory, systems theory, organizational behavior, and decision-making theory. Each of these approaches focuses on different aspects of organizational management, and can be used to develop effective strategies for organizational success.


Administrative management — recommended articles
Theory of management — Management by objectives — Formalization — Principles of scientific management — Change management model — 7S model — Organizational dependence — Management functions — Organizational diagnostics — Loss of productivity

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ R.K. Sapru (2009), p. 18
  2. ↑ E.J. Ferreira, A.W. Erasmus, D. Groenewald (2009), p. 3-5
  3. ↑ E.J. Ferreira, A.W. Erasmus, D. Groenewald (2009), p. 3-5
  4. ↑ E.J. Ferreira, A.W. Erasmus, D. Groenewald (2009), p. 3-5
  5. ↑ E.J. Ferreira, A.W. Erasmus, D. Groenewald (2009), p. 3-5

Author: Agnieszka Pytel

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