Management Guide[Guide du management]

Volume 1 of the Management Guide is structured into two parts. The first part is dedicated to presenting the conceptual aspects of management. It is organized into ten chapters: the first chapter explores the concept and history of management, reflecting on its definition. Through this chapter, the book demonstrates that the various definitions of management do not contradict each other. Management is the sum of all activities that determine objectives, plans, policies, and programs: securing people, materials, and machinery at minimal cost; implementing all these resources through a solid organization; leading and motivating teams; supervising and controlling performance; and ensuring maximum prosperity and well-being for employers, employees, and the general public. The following eight chapters aim to present management as a distinct activity with several key characteristics: •Goal-oriented management •The universality of management •Multidimensional management, covering work management, people management, and operations management •Management as a continuous process •Management as a group activity •Management as a dynamic function •Management as a balance between effectiveness and efficiency •Management as an economic resource and a production factor The last chapter of this first part is dedicated to explaining the difference between administration and management. The second part focuses on the six core management functions: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, and controlling. The book devotes one chapter to each function, outlining its definition, importance, and process. The interrelations between these functions are also discussed in detail. One of the book's strengths is its thoughtful use of quotes, proverbs, and examples to explain and illustrate the various concepts and models covered. The book also presents engaging discussion topics, making it a valuable resource for stimulating students' critical thinking in an interactive learning environment while linking management principles to current issues. Additionally, the book provides guidance on how students can use it according to their courses and specific needs. In a lecture-based course, instructors can either assign chapters as pre-reading or as follow-up reading to complement their lessons. To facilitate reading and usage, a list of objectives and key terms is provided at the beginning of each chapter, and a summary of key ideas is included at the end of each section to help students assess their understanding.