Manegerial Issues: Generalization and Specilization

Good manager have to be balance in managing paradoxes in management world: generalization versus specialization

Role of generalization on managerial functions

A manager has to use generalization in performing his functions. However, he has to have some special knowledge in working in a different special project or working in different department or resolving specific organizational issues in his managerial life. . In addition, in allocating tasks or grouping tasks he must use specialization to improve productivity. If specialization is overly stressed it may have a propensity to sub-optimize performance in one field or area, which may not contribute to over all objectives of an organization. In addition, in motivating staff it may be necessary to have a variety of tasks performed rather than specialization. In this context, a manager must be aware of generalizations than overly dependent on specialization. In any organization some general concepts may apply to all organizational divisions. For example, all organizations must have some hierarchical structure and the manger must be aware of these general principles. However, they must also must have some special knowledge of human element affecting organizational structure based on the knowledge of behavioral sciences. It is also necessary to have an organization how it works based on economics, sociological insights from political sciences to develop strategic planning and to apply appropriate general knowledge given the context of the organizational environment. As discussed above, generalization have some benefits in a manager performing his tasks and have some disadvantages.

However he must be aware that he does not overly dependent on specialization given his managerial issue or concern and the context of his work and its impact on the performance on overall organizational performance. In other words, he must see the organization as a system to some extent particularly in the current contemporary economic, social and political climate and global nature of operations and global impacts on organizations.

It is also important that manager must also recognize in a dynamic environment, the organization must be responsive and must shape the external environment to be competitive and the importance of change management principles as an important general principle. That is the manager must have a generalization that change is inevitable and unpredictable in some situations to perform his tasks efficiently and effectively. It is obvious from the previous discussion that a manager must resolve the complex issue of generalization and specialization so that he strike the correct balance to perform his functions to the benefit of overall organizational desired performance.

Specialization in organizations and its advantages and disadvantages to a manager.

If a manger wants to perform well in all the functions of management he must have some skills in technological knowledge, peoples skills, organizational skills, planning skills, strategic thinking skills, accounting skills, decision making skills and leadership skills.

If any manger specialize in one area and neglects others he may not be able to perform his managerial functions in a way that benefit the organization in the short and in the long term. However, if he works in a particular division where a special knowledge is necessary for example if you work in the accounting and finance section the accounting skills and technical analytical skills is important as well some planning skills and peoples skills not strategic thinking because it is done by the top management. In this context to specialize in a set of skills is valuable than have a general skills base. This demonstrates how a managers position in organization affects the role of generalization and specialization. In addition, if one specializes overly his career options are limited and may apply specialization overly in allocating tasks and use scientific management principles without the knowledge of human element in organization, which may sub-optimize performance and also not motivate employees effectively in all situation due to individual differences other motivating factors.

That is, specialization must be used as a principle with due regard to the limitations in practice by a manager to perform his managerial tasks effectively. The above discussion shows, specialization has some benefits to a manger as well it has its own disadvantages. It is also important to note generalization is opposite to specialization and it is the cause of paradox in management.

If specialization is used overly may cause conflict due to motivational factors and perceptions by employees and this may cause industrial relations problems and may affect the organizations ability to change which is vital for organizational success in a dynamic external environment.

It is obvious from the above discussion, the degree of generalization as opposed to specialization varies depending on the managerial position, special tasks performed, diversity within organization, organizational culture, top management philosophy, static or dynamic internal and external environment, complexity of tasks and task interdependence, knowledge distribution within the overall organization and the type of organizational structure and decision making systems within an organization.

In conclusion as discussed above, good managers are aware of the paradoxes between generalization and specialization and try to balance these opposing principles in a manner to maximize the benefit and minimize the disadvantages, which will benefit the organization as whole.

In addition, they must be aware that the balance between these two opposing principles may differ from one section to another and from one organization to another because of different contexts and different tasks performed. It is advisable to apply the holistic systems approach in determining the balance than applying reductionist philosophy because of the modern complexity of organizations and their dynamic internal and external environments and their unpredictable nature. If manages use their own intuition and their own research of their own situation and apply the system way of viewing organizations and take all factors affecting and interactions with other parts they can make a fairly optimum balance between generalization and specialization. It is also necessary managers have a general knowledge of change management principles in all levels of management as change is a normal in the contemporary world and not to neglect it by overly specializing in one area of management.