Middle management

From ArticleWorld

Middle management is a level in the management scheme between the upper and lower levels of the organization. This area is mainly concerned with the monitoring of the activities of subordinates for the generation of reports for higher levels in the organization. In the age of technology the role of middle managers has changed as their roles are not simply as intermediates between upper management and junior managers who can now communicate directly via e-mail and other e-business systems.

New role of the middle manager

The present roles of middle managers are mainly as the implementers of policies, programs and processes in quality management. They therefore play a key role in organizations in areas such as efficiency, productivity and customer satisfaction which are affected by the use of new and updated methods and policies. They are the communicators and interpreters of new policies to the rest of the organization. Some of their responsibilities include:

• The appointment, introduction and identification of new managers.
• The training and motivation of managers.
• The termination of non-performers.

The value of middle management

It has been seen in the competitive business environment that the middle manager is quite often considered expendable. However the total losses associated with the elimination of middle management is often not understood or easily replaceable. Middle managers normally have many years of experience on the job and knowledge that is not learned in a day. These are normally the individuals with high achievement records and an innate knowledge of the working of the company in its entirety. They are also the innovators that can suggest how the organization may be improved.

Instead of wasting these valuable resources organizations can consider the use of middle managers in alternative capacities. These new careers may be as teachers, intrapreneurs or as strategic relations managers.