Principles of Management

 

The Principles of Management or Management Principles are important tools that should

be applied in Libraries. It helps in the development of the library. It has a positive impact

on the working of libraries. Library efficiency is increased by the application of Principles

of Management. The Librarian should implement these principles of management for the

success of the organization.

Henri Fayol had given the Principles of management for the organization. These Principles

of management were very popular and so he was nicknamed the father of modern

management. Library and information Centers are the service providing organization to

all the people at different places. It has to implement Principles of management to

succeed.

Today almost every organization in this world is influenced by Henry Fayol's Principles of

management. These principles guide how to implement management in Libraries and

Information Centers. These Principles of Management implication on the administration of

the library and information center was positive and encouraging.

Henry Fayol's 14 Principles of Management

Division of Work

This Principles of Management or Management Principles states that work should be

divided according to specialization. In small libraries, there is only one Librarian. He does

all the work such as acquisition, classification, cataloging, shelving, automation of

Libraries, etc. Here there is no division of work.

But in Large Libraries, there is a division of work. If all the staff carries out all the

functions then there will be confusion and that lead to inefficiency. As the Library users

grow, there should be more staff to handle the users. Then there should be a division of

work, according to their skill and experience. The work should be divided broadly into

three types: Technical, User, and Administrative work.

Authority and Responsibility

This is the second Principles of Management. It states that authority and responsibility are

the two sides of the same coin. In Library the authority and responsibility lie in the hand

of the Librarian. Later he delegates that power to his subordinates, according to their

performance and specialization.

Discipline

This third Principles of management is about Discipline. This principle tells what you

should do and what you should not do in your organization. Obedience is an important

factor for a worker in an organization. This principle helps in sorting conflicts and gain

justice. The librarian should maintain discipline among staff in the library for running

smoothly.

Unity of Command

The Principles of management "unity of Command" means that an employee should

receive an order from one manager. One manager concept is here and so there is no room

for confusion. That employee will report to that manager. If there is more than one

manager then it is difficult to work and leads to confusion.

Unity of Direction

This principles advocates one plan, one direction. Proper direction leads to coordination

and efficiency. All employees should be given a direction to achieve that goal. This Unity

of direction eliminates the repetition of work. Managers plan and monitor the progress of

work.

Subordination of Individual Interest

These principles of management mention that organizational interest should be given

priority rather than individual interest. The main goal should be the growth and

development of that organization. User satisfaction in the library should be the main

concern for the library managers. The primary focus should be the activities of the

organization.

Remuneration of Personnel

Remuneration is one of the important Principles of management. It provides motivation to

workers and thus increases the efficiency of work, thus leads to production and gaining

profit. Librarian and library staff should get staff according to their qualification,

experience, and responsibilities. Remuneration uplift the staff spirit.

Centralisation

Organizations generally have centralization of authority.Principles of Management says

that decentralization is necessary for smooth functioning. There should be a head of the

department for every department so that they can look into their department matter

closely. But some power should be centralized to avoid unnecessary confusion and

conflict.

Scalar Chain

This means that authority should be in chain form from top to bottom. Like Librarian,

Deputy Librarian, Assistant Librarian, Library Assistant. So this sort of chain system

prevails in an organization and this line of authority conveys communication within a

Library or organization. This is a structure of management.

Order

Principles of management say that there is social order, which means relations that help

different sections of an organization work together and achieve goals. The relation should

be maintained as they are interrelated and interdependent.

Equity

This Principle says that treat all employees equally. According to Henry Fayol, employees

should be treated equally and kindly. The employees should get justice. Managers should

be impartial while monitoring work in the organization. Promotion Policy or dealing with

wages should be clearly drafted so that all employees get a fair chance to achieve.

Stability of Tenure of Personnel

Principles of management say that all employees should have fixed tenure for retirement.

Whatever he learns during his tenure, he uses his experience in that organization. The

employee should not frequently be changed from his position as it leads to a stability

crisis. That employees learn after working in that section and then he is shifted to another

section and ultimately he is not able to utilize his skill there.

Right Staff should be given at the right place for the efficiency of the organization.

Frequent shifting will not help that organization.

Initiative

Henri fayol's Principles of management says that employees should have the freedom to

start any initiatives by implementing their ideas. This leads to an increase in the efficiency

of work. The employees are encouraged and the mood is uplifted. They utilize new

methods and willing to achieve new goals. managers should welcome the employee's new

initiatives.

Esprit de Corps

It means that there should be unity of employees. Managers should lead all employees on

a single platform. The employee's morale should be boosted. Esprit de Corps says that

there should be a work culture where employees have mutual trust and understanding.

This principle advocates the importance of teamwork. The librarian should lead the team,

as it is a group activity.

Conclusion

The 14 Principles of Management given by Henry Fayol, is used by almost all

organizations of the world. It is used to manage the organization. It leads to efficiency

and productivity. It is an important tool for managing employees. Principles of

Management helps in forecasting, planning, decision making, etc.