Assume you are a manager working at the New York Times\' headquarters. The paper
ID: 461479 • Letter: A
Question
Assume you are a manager working at the New York Times' headquarters. The paper is attempting to find new ways to maintain profit. The internet (Technology) has had an effect on sales decreasing substantially. So what is a news paper to do? Based on the changes happening at the times which of Henri Fayol's 14 principles of management would be most pertinent to you? Why?
With all the changes occurring at the Times, do you think the system approach to management is applicable in this organization? Why or why not?
How do you think working conditions have changed at the New York Times? What do you imagine it was like to work there in 1851?
Explanation / Answer
Assume you are a manager working at the New York Times' headquarters. The paper is attempting to find new ways to maintain profit. The internet (Technology) has had an effect on sales decreasing substantially. So what is a news paper to do? Based on the changes happening at the times which of Henri Fayol's 14 principles of management would be most pertinent to you? Why?
Being the manager of the New York Times', I would try to implement the following to boost the sales:
It would be most pertinent to me to consider the Fifth and Thirteenth principles of Henri Fayal i.e; Unity of Direction and Initiative in this regard.
Reason: The unity of direction says that the company to move in common direction for a common objective. Since the company currently have the new common objective with respect to the changing market conditions, so it needs the application of Unity of direction. The Company is currently facing problem with respect to sales. To counter the problem, the company has to understand the possible reasons for the decrease of sales i.e; The Internet (Technology). Moreover, the change the company condition, it has to implement the above listed actions. This essentially needs the step of “Initiative” from the company’s end. In fact it is the Thirteenth principle of Henri Fayal.
With all the changes occurring at the Times, do you think the system approach to management is applicable in this organization? Why or why not?
The system approach to organization views the organization as an organic open system. It consists of subsystems which are inter-related and interdependent parts in a certain order that forms a complex unitary whole. The most important characteristic is that it is composed of hierarchy of sub-systems.
The present changes suggested to the New York Times, I think the systems approach to management is applicable to the organization.
Reason: When the company adopts the above suggested changes, it will handle different service lines with huge number. This make the company task complex. To handle the complex tasks, it needs the supportive system to the organization that is offered by systems approach. Moreover the company has to interact with outside bodies of the company in very convenient manner.
How do you think working conditions have changed at the New York Times? What do you imagine it was like to work there in 1851?
The working conditions were changed at the New York Times since 1851 because, now the people are supposed to with the new approach to the management i.e; systems approach. So, the company provides the necessary environment that supports the current approach and also it will have an impact on the working conditions of the employees. Now the employees are more emphasized on the technologically related tasks and try to achieve the customers in the changing conditions.