Free PDF of Principles and Practice of Management by L.M. Prasad: A Must-Read for Managers and Students

# Outline of the Article Heading Subheading --- --- Introduction What is the book about? Who is the author? Why is it important? Part 1: Principles of Management What are the principles of management? How do they help managers? What are some examples of applying them? Part 2: Functions of Management What are the functions of management? How do they relate to the principles of management? What are some tools and techniques for performing them? Part 3: Organizational Behavior What is organizational behavior? How does it affect management? What are some theories and models of organizational behavior? Part 4: Decision Making and Problem Solving What are decision making and problem solving? How do they differ from each other? What are some steps and methods for effective decision making and problem solving? Part 5: Planning What is planning? Why is it important for management? What are some types and levels of planning? Part 6: Organizing What is organizing? How does it relate to planning? What are some elements and forms of organizing? Part 7: Staffing What is staffing? How does it relate to organizing? What are some processes and challenges of staffing? Part 8: Directing What is directing? How does it relate to staffing? What are some aspects and styles of directing? Part 9: Controlling What is controlling? How does it relate to directing? What are some techniques and standards of controlling? Part 10: Emerging Trends in Management What are some emerging trends in management? How do they affect the principles and functions of management? What are some implications and opportunities for managers? Conclusion Summarize the main points of the article. Emphasize the value and benefits of the book. Provide a call to action for downloading the book. FAQs Answer 5 frequently asked questions about the book or the topic. # Article ## Introduction Are you looking for a comprehensive and practical guide to learn the basics and advanced concepts of management? Do you want to improve your skills and knowledge as a manager or a student of management? If yes, then you might be interested in reading Principles and Practice of Management by Dr. L.M. Prasad. This book is one of the most popular and widely used textbooks on management in India and abroad. It covers all the essential topics and aspects of management in a clear, concise, and engaging manner. It also provides numerous examples, case studies, exercises, diagrams, tables, charts, and illustrations to help you understand and apply the concepts better. The book is divided into ten parts, each focusing on a different dimension or function of management. The book also reflects the latest developments and trends in management theory and practice. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced managers who want to enhance their managerial effectiveness. In this article, we will give you an overview of what this book has to offer. We will also tell you how you can download a free PDF version of this book online. So, let's get started! ## Part 1: Principles of Management The first part of the book introduces you to the principles of management. These are the fundamental guidelines or rules that govern the behavior and actions of managers in any organization. They help managers to achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively. The book explains the nature, scope, importance, evolution, and classification of management principles. It also discusses various approaches to studying management principles, such as classical, behavioral, systems, contingency, etc. The book then presents 14 universal principles of management proposed by Henri Fayol, a pioneer of management theory. These principles are: - Division of work - Authority and responsibility - Discipline - Unity of command - Unity of direction - Subordination of individual interest to general interest - Remuneration - Centralization and decentralization - Scalar chain - Order - Equity - Stability of tenure - Initiative - Esprit de corps The book explains the meaning, significance, and application of each principle with examples. It also highlights the limitations and criticisms of these principles. ## Part 2: Functions of Management The second part of the book deals with the functions of management. These are the basic activities or tasks that managers perform to achieve organizational objectives. They are also known as the process or steps of management. The book identifies five core functions of management, namely: - Planning - Organizing - Staffing - Directing - Controlling The book also explains how these functions are interrelated and interdependent. It also shows how they are influenced by the principles of management. The book then describes each function in detail in the following parts. It covers the concepts, features, types, levels, methods, tools, techniques, challenges, and best practices of each function. ## Part 3: Organizational Behavior The third part of the book focuses on organizational behavior. This is the study of how people behave and interact in organizations. It also examines how organizational factors affect human behavior and performance. The book explains the scope, importance, and objectives of organizational behavior. It also discusses various perspectives and approaches to studying organizational behavior, such as psychological, sociological, anthropological, etc. The book then covers various topics and concepts related to organizational behavior, such as: - Individual behavior: personality, perception, learning, motivation, attitudes, values, emotions, etc. - Group behavior: group formation, group dynamics, group norms, group roles, group cohesiveness, group conflict, etc. - Leadership: meaning, styles, traits, skills, theories, models, etc. - Communication: meaning, types, modes, barriers, feedback, etc. - Power and politics: sources, types, bases, tactics, etc. - Conflict: meaning, causes, types, stages, effects, resolution strategies, etc. - Organizational culture: meaning, types, characteristics, components, functions, etc. - Organizational change: meaning, factors, types, process, resistance, management strategies, etc. - Organizational development: meaning, objectives, techniques, intervention strategies, etc. The book illustrates each topic with examples and case studies. It also provides self-assessment exercises and questionnaires to help you evaluate your own behavior and skills. ## Part 4: Decision Making and Problem Solving The fourth part of the book deals with decision making and problem solving. These are two closely related processes that involve identifying and choosing the best course of action among various alternatives. The book explains the difference between decision making and problem solving. It also discusses the nature, importance, types, levels, and steps of decision making and problem solving. The book then presents various methods and techniques for effective decision making and problem solving. Some of them are: - Rational model: a logical and systematic approach that follows a sequence of steps such as defining the problem or objective, identifying the criteria, generating alternatives, evaluating alternatives, selecting the best alternative, implementing the decision, and monitoring the results. - Bounded rationality model: a realistic and pragmatic approach that recognizes the limitations of human cognition and information availability. It suggests that decision makers use heuristics or rules of thumb to simplify complex problems and choose satisfactory rather than optimal solutions. - Intuitive model: a creative and spontaneous approach that relies on gut feelings or hunches rather than formal analysis. It suggests that decision makers use their experience, knowledge, values, and emotions to make quick and flexible decisions in uncertain or ambiguous situations. - Participative model: a democratic and collaborative approach that involves consulting or involving others in the decision making process. It suggests that decision makers use communication, consultation, delegation, empowerment, and consensus building to enhance the quality and acceptance of decisions. - Quantitative model: a mathematical and analytical approach that uses numerical data and statistical tools to support decision making. It suggests that decision makers use techniques such as linear programming, decision trees, game theory, simulation, etc. to optimize decisions under various constraints and uncertainties. The book explains the advantages and disadvantages of each method and technique. It also provides examples and exercises to help you apply them in different situations. ## Part 5: Planning The fifth part of the book covers planning. This is the first and foremost function of management that involves setting goals and objectives for the future and determining the best ways to achieve them. The book explains the meaning, features, importance, and limitations of planning. It also discusses various factors that affect planning such as environment, resources, time horizon, organizational level, etc. The book then describes the planning process in detail. It covers the following steps: - Recognizing the need for action: This involves identifying the opportunities and problems that require planning. - Gathering necessary information: This involves collecting and analyzing relevant data and information that will help in planning. - Laying down objectives: This involves setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound goals for the organization or its units. - Determining planning premises: This involves identifying the assumptions and constraints that will affect the planning process and outcomes. - Examining alternative courses of action: This involves generating and evaluating various possible ways of achieving the objectives. - Evaluating action patterns: This involves comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative course of action in terms of feasibility, suitability, and acceptability. - Determining secondary plans: This involves developing contingency plans or backup plans in case the primary plans fail or change. - Implementation of plans: This involves putting the chosen plans into action and monitoring their progress and results. The book explains each step with examples and diagrams. It also provides tips and guidelines for effective planning. ## Part 6: Organizing The sixth part of the book covers organizing. This is the second function of management that involves arranging and allocating the resources and activities of the organization to achieve its objectives. The book explains the meaning, features, importance, and principles of organizing. It also discusses various factors that affect organizing such as environment, strategy, technology, size, etc. The book then covers various elements and forms of organizing. Some of them are: - Organization structure: This is the framework that defines the roles, responsibilities, relationships, and authority of different members and units of the organization. It also shows how information and resources flow within the organization. - Organization design: This is the process of creating or modifying the organization structure to suit the needs and goals of the organization. It involves choosing among different types of structures such as functional, divisional, matrix, network, etc. - Departmentation: This is the process of grouping related activities or functions into distinct units or departments within the organization. It involves choosing among different bases of departmentation such as product, service, customer, geography, process, etc. - Span of control: This is the number of subordinates that a manager can effectively supervise and control. It depends on various factors such as complexity, similarity, stability, etc. of tasks. - Delegation: This is the process of transferring authority and responsibility from a higher level to a lower level in the organization. It involves three elements: assignment of tasks, granting of authority, and creation of accountability. - Decentralization: This is the extent to which decision making authority is dispersed or shared among different levels or units in the organization. It depends on various factors such as environment, strategy, size, culture, etc. The book explains each element and form with examples and charts. It also provides advantages and disadvantages of each element and form. ## Part 7: Staffing The seventh part of the book deals with staffing. This is the third function of management that involves acquiring, developing, maintaining, and retaining a competent and motivated workforce for the organization. The book explains the meaning, features, importance, and principles of staffing. It also discusses various factors that affect staffing such as environment, strategy, technology, size, culture, etc. The book then covers various steps and processes involved in staffing. Some of them are: - Manpower planning: This involves estimating the quantity and quality of human resources required for the organization or its units. It also involves forecasting the demand and supply of human resources in the internal and external labor markets. - Recruitment: This involves attracting and inviting potential candidates to apply for the vacant or anticipated positions in the organization. It also involves choosing among various sources and methods of recruitment such as internal, external, direct, indirect, etc. - Selection: This involves screening and evaluating the applicants and choosing the most suitable ones for the jobs. It also involves using various techniques and tools of selection such as tests, interviews, references, etc. - Placement and induction: This involves assigning the selected candidates to their respective jobs and orienting them to the organization and its policies, rules, procedures, culture, etc. - Training and development: This involves providing learning opportunities and experiences to the employees to enhance their knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes. It also involves using various methods and modes of training and development such as on-the-job, off-the-job, formal, informal, etc. - Performance appraisal: This involves measuring and evaluating the performance of the employees against the predetermined standards and objectives. It also involves providing feedback and counseling to the employees to improve their performance and potential. - Compensation: This involves determining and providing monetary and non-monetary rewards to the employees for their work and contribution. It also involves using various components and methods of compensation such as wages, salaries, incentives, benefits, etc. - Promotion: This involves moving an employee to a higher position or level in the organization with more responsibilities, authority, status, and pay. It also involves using various criteria and methods of promotion such as seniority, merit, seniority-cum-merit, etc. - Transfer: This involves moving an employee from one job or department or location to another with similar responsibilities, authority, status, and pay. It also involves using various reasons and types of transfer such as personal, organizational, functional, etc. - Separation: This involves terminating the employment relationship between an employee and the organization due to various causes such as resignation, retirement, layoff, dismissal, etc. The book explains each step and process with examples and diagrams. It also provides advantages and disadvantages of each step and process. ## Part 8: Directing The eighth part of the book deals with directing. This is the fourth function of management that involves guiding, leading, motivating, and communicating with the employees to achieve organizational goals. The book explains the meaning, features, importance, and principles of directing. It also discusses various factors that affect directing such as environment, strategy, culture, personality, etc. The book then covers various aspects and styles of directing. Some of them are: - Motivation: This involves stimulating and inspiring the employees to work with enthusiasm and commitment towards the organizational goals. It also involves using various theories and techniques of motivation such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, McGregor's theory X and Y, etc. - Leadership: This involves influencing and guiding the employees to follow a certain course of action or vision. It also involves using various styles and skills of leadership such as autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire, transactional, transformational, etc. - Communication: This involves exchanging and sharing information and ideas with the employees to ensure clarity and understanding. It also involves using various types and modes of communication such as verbal, non-verbal, written, oral, formal, informal, etc. - Supervision: This involves overseeing and monitoring the performance and behavior of the employees to ensure compliance and quality. It also involves using various methods and tools of supervision such as observation, feedback, coaching, counseling, etc. The book explains each aspect and style with examples and case studies. It also provides advantages and disadvantages of each aspect and style. ## Part 9: Controlling The ninth part of the book deals with controlling. This is the fifth and final function of management that involves measuring and comparing the actual performance with the planned performance and taking corrective actions if necessary. The book explains the meaning, features, importance, and principles of controlling. It also discusses various factors that affect controlling such as environment, strategy, technology, size, culture, etc. The book then covers various steps and techniques involved in controlling. Some of them are: - Establishing standards: This involves setting the criteria or benchmarks for measuring the performance of the organization or its units. These standards can be quantitative or qualitative, financial or non-financial, time-bound or flexible, etc. - Measuring performance: This involves collecting and analyzing the data and information related to the actual performance of the organization or its units. This can be done by using various sources and methods such as reports, records, surveys, audits, etc. - Comparing performance: This involves comparing the actual performance with the planned performance or standards to identify the deviations or gaps. This can be done by using various techniques such as variance analysis, ratio analysis, trend analysis, etc. - Taking corrective actions: This involves taking appropriate actions to correct the deviations or gaps or to prevent them from occurring in the future. These actions can be preventive or corrective, immediate or delayed, centralized or decentralized, etc. The book explains each step and technique with examples and diagrams. It also provides tips and guidelines for effective controlling. ## Part 10: Emerging Trends in Management The tenth and final part of the book covers emerging trends in management. These are the new developments and changes that are affecting the theory and practice of management in the contemporary world. The book identifies some of the major emerging trends in management such as: - Globalization: This refers to the increasing integration and interdependence of economies, cultures, and societies across the world. It affects management by creating new opportunities and challenges such as diversity, competition, innovation, ethics, etc. - Technology: This refers to the advancement and application of scientific knowledge and tools to improve human life and work. It affects management by enhancing efficiency, productivity, quality, communication, etc. - Innovation: This refers to