Question

There are five different types of control methods that managers can utilize to maintain control. These are bureaucratic, concertive, objective, normative and self-control (self-management).

Please compare and contrast the different types of control methods.

Please describe which method you think is the most effective and which one is the least effective.

Which method would you prefer to use as a manager? Does this differ from which method you would like to work under as an employee?

Answer 1

Bureaucratic Control method- In this method, the manager uses the rules, policies, hierarchy of power and authority, reward systems and other formal systems to influence the behavior of the employees for performance and to measure the performance. This control method utilizes the established rules and regulations to direct the actions or behavior of the divisions, functions or the individuals.

Concertive control method- In this method, the concept lies on the extended knowledge of everyone. In other words, the Concertive control method rests largely on a set of core values. For example, the values found in the corporate mission statement are used as knowledge for the control process.

Objective control method- In this method, the controls is based on reliable measures of behavior which is called as the output. This method is a top-down management based control method.

Normative control method- In this method, the control is based on strong corporate values and beliefs and also includes the hiring practices. This is different from the concertive method. The concertive method is the development of the values, beliefs and rules in the work groups which operates as autonomous.

Self-control method- In this method, the individual sets goals, monitors them and rewards or punishes oneself in terms of achievement of the goals.

Please describe which method you think is the most effective and which one is the least effective.

Personally speaking, I believe that the normative control method is the most effective control mechanism since they are based on the corporate values and beliefs. This makes the employees have a shared vision working towards the achieving the common goals. This method hence develops unity and harmony in the teams. On the other hand, the least effective method is the bureaucratic method because the rules and procedures, authority, power and the formal reward systems do not motivate the employees. The employees just perform the job and its functions only out of fear of the control of people who are higher in authority.

Which method would you prefer to use as a manager? Does this differ from which method you would like to work under as an employee?

As a manager, I would use the normative method because they are based on the values, beliefs and the strong hiring practices which are pertinent for an organization to be successful. Good hiring practice is required for selecting the right candidates for the smooth functioning of organizations. Hence, I would choose the normative method.

No, since the normative method develops unity and harmony among the team members, I prefer this method if I was an employee. Other control methods are very objective and top-down management. Self-management is focused on individual development and the teams.