Better management practices are needed
Saturday, 27 October 2007
Bangladesh like all other countries is required to submit to the prevailing environment of international trade which has become fiercely competitive. Apart from retaining competitiveness in the export markets, its industries oriented to domestic consumption can no more afford to be less careless about operational costs and management efficiency if they are to successfully meet the challenge of imported products under the conditions of trade liberalisation. As a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Bangladesh cannot go back on its commitment to trade liberalisation. Adhering to liberalisation policies and at the same time making the most in export trade and production for the home market require putting of the maximum emphasis on the vital competitiveness in terms of cost, management and quality.
Management practices nowadays are guided by many concepts the main ones being making the organisation leaner but fitter, less hierarchies or non vertical and flat hierarchies and total quality management (TQM). But many business organisations in Bangladesh are still run on the basis of outdated management practices which explains their inability to withstand the rigours of competition either internal or external. By paying attention to contemporary proven management practices, even sick firms can be restored to vitality.
The idea of lean organisation stresses cost decreases at every level where the same have no contribution to productivity or product quality ; the reduction of redundant manpower is, thus, important in lean organisation strategy. But such a strategy also recognises the need of motivating core employees with incentives where the same will increase output or help retain or improve quality of products. Flat or horizontal management practices stress on the merit of having the minimum of managerial hierarchies both to decrease operational costs and motivate employees. TQM is the latest management practice that seeks to make each person at every level in the production, procurement and marketing processes responsible at every step. The essence of TQM is that the responsibility for achieving quality lies with all employees. It commits the organisation and all its employees to the continuous review and improvement (or, to use the Japanese word, kaizen ) of all acts relating to the quality of output and the satisfaction of customer or client requirements.
The advanced management practices are not in application in many areas of economic activities in the country. But they should be introduced for the economy to attain a higher level of efficiency.
Anwarul Karim
Gulshan, Dhaka
Management practices nowadays are guided by many concepts the main ones being making the organisation leaner but fitter, less hierarchies or non vertical and flat hierarchies and total quality management (TQM). But many business organisations in Bangladesh are still run on the basis of outdated management practices which explains their inability to withstand the rigours of competition either internal or external. By paying attention to contemporary proven management practices, even sick firms can be restored to vitality.
The idea of lean organisation stresses cost decreases at every level where the same have no contribution to productivity or product quality ; the reduction of redundant manpower is, thus, important in lean organisation strategy. But such a strategy also recognises the need of motivating core employees with incentives where the same will increase output or help retain or improve quality of products. Flat or horizontal management practices stress on the merit of having the minimum of managerial hierarchies both to decrease operational costs and motivate employees. TQM is the latest management practice that seeks to make each person at every level in the production, procurement and marketing processes responsible at every step. The essence of TQM is that the responsibility for achieving quality lies with all employees. It commits the organisation and all its employees to the continuous review and improvement (or, to use the Japanese word, kaizen ) of all acts relating to the quality of output and the satisfaction of customer or client requirements.
The advanced management practices are not in application in many areas of economic activities in the country. But they should be introduced for the economy to attain a higher level of efficiency.
Anwarul Karim
Gulshan, Dhaka