6. Management Style (10 pts)
1. Characterize style: participative or authoritarian or bureaucratic? (pick one)
2. Characteristics of effective leader and type of decision making
3. Is management formal or informal? –direct or indirect
4. How does management praise/reward desired behavior and critique poor performance?
5. How important is practice of planning? –sticking to the schedule?
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1. The management style in South Africa is participative. Meetings in South Africa are rather informal. Although the manager decides on the topic of discussion and its pace, all who are in attendance are encouraged and expected to participate in decision making. Job status and position are not of most importance to South Africans. Anyone present at a meeting, regardless of their position, is obligated to participate because it is assumed that everyone has a valuable opinion.
ReplyDeletePersonal relationships are a priority in this culture. Often times, business meetings will include a pause or two for non-business discussions. South Africa is a country experiencing a lot of transition, with the newer generations' emphasizing personality rather than race or social status. There are many different styles of management, but the common trend is to allow everyone to speak their mind. Subordinates' opinions are often taken into consideration when making decisions.
2. Being that South Africa has such a cross cultural society, people are very used to change and adapt well. A manager's success is measured on how he is able to bring out the best in the group assembled. Managers are expected to maximize their subordinates' talents. They are also expected to create a situation where through collaboration, the group as a whole is able to enjoy more success than it would through individual efforts. Managers are to create synergy within their groups. Decision making has definitely become more of a team effort, although at the end of the day the manager is the one who ultimately decides. Hierarchical relationships are still assumed as they are in most democratic societies, but a lot of what goes into making a decision is based on the feelings of the entire group. Managers must stay on top of their groups, but usually have friendly relationships with their workers.
3. Status or position are not the most important factors when sharing opinions in a South African business meeting. Although everyone in attendance is given the chance to share their view on the topic of discussion, not everyone has the authority to finalize business decisions. There are usually a few managers which have been hired due to their experience or expertise in their fields, and these are the decision makers. Therefore, South Africa's management style would be considered formal. Although meetings and briefs tend to be informal, it is known who is in calling the shots. Nowadays, manager's are expected to request insight from their group members. Decisions often due have heavy influence from "lower-level" participants' views or ideas.
South Africa is also said to have a direct management style. Deadlines are vital to upper management and workers are required to be met. It is common that a manager in South Africa to ask his subordinate to complete certain tasks by the end of a work day. As a matter of fact, deadlines overrule another other plans on schedule.
4. Over the past 20 years, South Africa has seen a lot of change. People are now being measured more on personal achievements rather than prior education or social status. You are now seeing more black managers hired and this is a result of personal effort and perseverance. Overall, a group's success or lack there of is seen as a reflection of the manager. Managers are expected to delegate employees to certain jobs based on their talent or skill in that particular area. Poor performance on the behalf of any individual group member may require a manager to become more strict on deadlines and schedules. Managers are held responsible, therefore they are forced to buckle down in order on workers to increase productivity.
ReplyDelete5. Planning and punctuality are extremely important in South Africa's "controlled-time" culture. It is similar to the United States in this way. Although it's acceptable to show up a few minutes late to a social event, be sure to be on time, if not early, to a business arrangement. Appointments are usually planned out and established with anticipation. Most South Africans like to enjoy a little small talk before getting down to business. Some will set up meetings in their homes and will tell you to "stop by anytime". It is better to call before going over.
As stated above, deadlines are expected to be met and if not, it reflects poorly on the manager. Success as a manager is heavily dependent on an individual's ability to meet deadlines. It is common to see South Africans working late during the week or putting in hours on the weekends in order to meet deadlines.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/intercultural/management/southafrica.html
http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/South-African-Management-Style.html
Morrison and Conway. Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands 2nd Edition. Massachusetts: 1996.