Question

P. Madhav is the production manager of Trendy Style Pvt. Ltd., a firm manufacturing office furniture. His objective is to increase production by 20% in the next one year. But the Sales Manager, R. Shetty does not approve of the increase in production, till changes are brought about in the quality of wood, locks, handles, etc., to incorporate the latest trends. This kind of conflict brings to light an important concept of management that can help to link the activities of various departments.
(i) Identify and explain the concept discussed above.
(ii) State any two points of importance of the concept identified in (i) above.

Hint:

Coordination is the backbone of any organization as it ensures smooth functioning and alignment of various activities across departments.- Effective coordination minimizes conflicts, improves productivity, and ensures that the organization’s goals are achieved.- It is the responsibility of managers at all levels to facilitate coordination within their respective areas.

Answer 1

(i) Identification and Explanation of the Concept:

The concept discussed is Coordination.

Coordination is the process of integrating and synchronizing the activities of different departments, sections, and employees within an organization to ensure that they work together harmoniously to achieve common organizational goals. It involves establishing clear communication channels, defining roles and responsibilities, resolving conflicts, and promoting teamwork to ensure that the efforts of different parts of the organization are aligned and mutually supportive. In the scenario described, P. Madhav's goal of increasing production clashes with R. Shetty's emphasis on quality and incorporating the latest trends. Coordination is crucial to reconcile these different perspectives and find a solution that benefits the entire organization.

(ii) Importance of Coordination:

Here are two points highlighting the importance of coordination:

Ensures Unity of Action: Coordination ensures that all the activities and efforts of different departments and individuals are directed towards the achievement of common organizational goals. By synchronizing and integrating these activities, coordination prevents duplication, minimizes conflicts, and promotes teamwork. This unified approach enables the organization to move in a cohesive and focused manner, improving overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Promotes Optimum Utilization of Resources: Effective coordination helps to prevent the wastage of resources by ensuring that they are utilized in the most efficient and effective manner. By aligning the activities of different departments, coordination eliminates duplication of effort, reduces conflicts, and promotes the sharing of information and resources. This leads to better utilization of human, financial, and material resources, resulting in cost savings and increased productivity.