Gujarat BoardEnglish MediumSTD 12 CommerceOCMDIRECTING5 Marks
Question
Define Direction and Explain its Characteristics.
✓
Answer
Introduction :
Decision taken as per planning and organizing are implemented by direction only.
When the employees are working in a group for achieving business objectives, to maintain harmony between their works, definite procedure and methods are used by giving orders and instructions as well as supervision and providing active leadership to the subordinates.
Direction includes all these matters. If directing person is efficient, then an ordinary employee will give the best result. In short, direction is an essential part of the management.
Meaning of Direction :
In General Terms, “ Direction means to guide the workers, make them aware of the work and supervise them, and to maintain their enthusiasm for the work.”
According to Koontz and O’Donnell, “Direction is the executive function of guiding and observing subordinates.”
In short, direction is that function of management which gives orders and supervises the subordinates for the accomplishment of pre-determined objectives.
Characteristics of Direction : The characteristics of direction are as follows :
Goal-oriented activity :
The purpose of direction is to achieve business objectives by giving guidance and motivation to the employees.
Function at every level management :
Function of direction is done at all levels of management.
Top managers direct the divisional officers regarding the objectives, policy and administrative matters.
In the same way, at the bottom level, supervisors give orders and instructions to the foremen and jobbers, while jobbers and foreman direct the workers working under their control.
Thus direction moves from top level to the bottom level of management.
Continuous process :
Business unit provide direction to the employees regarding functions, procedure and interpretation of policy.
The activities of business unit will be successful only if a continuous direction process is ensured.
Thus, direction is a continuous process.
Observation of Functions :
Direction is not merely the process of guiding and giving orders, but it is process of observing whether work is done as per order of instruction or not.
Wider scope :
The scope of direction is very wide.
It does not include giving only guidance or advice but it also includes giving understanding of the decisions taken by managers.
Communication :
If communication process is not effective, then it is difficult to give right direction to the right employees at right time. Thus, effective communication is the pre-condition for the direction.
Motivation :
While directing the employees, the higher authorities give personal guidance to motivate them.
Such guidance solve the problems and doubts of employees and generates faith in them.
Therefore they are motivated to do better work.
Flow of Direction :
The flow of direction moves from top level to bottom level management.
Top level management gives guidance to the manager of middle.
Managerial Function :
Direction is a part of management like various other functions such as planning, organizing, staffing, co-ordinating, communication and controlling.
Conclusion :
Direction is a continuous and goal oriented process.
It includes various activities like instruction, order, supervision, motivation, communication etc.. Optimum utilization of production resources can be possible by effective direction only.
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