Administrative Management: What does it mean?

Administrative Management refers to the design and management of an organization’s entire structure. This involves monitoring and managing the organization’s day-to-day activities to ensure continuity in today’s fast-paced environment. Administrative management is an administrative theory. It focuses on the creation of a formalized administrative structure and developing a hierarchy of authority. This allows them to decide their key functions and responsibilities and how they should be divided up within the organization. This is a vital function that allows for the management of information through people. Administrators monitor information flow to ensure that resources are used efficiently for greater productivity.

Administrative Management: Features

For smooth operation of an organization, a formalized administrative structure is required. This structure outlines the hierarchy of authority, indicating their responsibilities and functions.
Division of Labor: This involves the proper division of labor among all departments. The task assignments are determined by the workers’ qualifications and skills. This allows for maximum efficiency.
Proper information flow: Good administrative management ensures that the company has a network of information for decision-making. This is about creating a communication channel that allows for free information to flow in both directions between supervisors and workers.
Define Roles and Responsibilities. The theory of administrative management focuses on clearly defining the roles and responsibilities for each person working in an organization. Each supervisor has the authority to direct activities that are relevant to his expertise and field.
Official Record: This is a record that records every business activity. To avoid discrepancies, all accounts must be maintained. They should record every expense and income on a regular basis.

Nigerian Administrative Management Functions

Planning Business Activities: The task of administrative managers is to plan the various tasks that will be carried out within the company. Each plan and policy is designed to achieve the desired goals.
For a project to be completed on time, it must be managed effectively. For a desired outcome, administrative managers are responsible for supervising all activities related to the project.
Budget creation: This is the process of creating a budget that allows for the best possible execution of the project’s activities. Administrative managers are responsible for overseeing every activity and ensuring that expenses do not exceed the budget.
For better results, it is important to have the right people working for you. Administrative management is about hiring the right people and giving them the training they need to succeed in their job.
Monitoring Employee Performance: The performance of employees is monitored by the administrative management. Monitoring employees’ activities helps to identify and maintain the desired efficiency.
Handling Account Payable/Receivables. It maintains accurate accounts to record all financial transactions. For avoiding confusion and errors, each transaction with creditors and debtors is properly recorded.
Focuses on Cost reduction: Administrative management is focused on improving the efficiency of company activities. It performs a variety of researches and analyses to find production techniques that reduce overall costs.

Principles of Administrative Management in Nigeria

There are 14 principles to Administrative Management

The division of work refers to the division of work between individuals from different departments. The division of work is based on the abilities of the people involved. This leads to specialization. Specialization improves the overall efficiency of the company, which in turn results in increased profitability and productivity.
Authority is essential for effective functioning. Managers should have the authority to issue orders that are related to their responsibilities. Managers who have more authority than their responsibilities can misuse their power. Managers who take on too much responsibility can become frustrated.
Discipline – Respecting and adhering to rules and regulations is a key component of discipline. These rules must be followed strictly and should not be violated. There are two types of discipline: Enforced discipline and self-discipline. Discipline requires impartial judgment and proper supervision.
Unity of Command – The Unity of Command states that each employee should only be responsible to one employer. Subordinates should be given orders and should report to one superior. Avoid dual subordination as it can cause problems in the functioning of managers.
Unity of Direction – All team members should work towards the same goal under one supervisor using one plan. This will allow for proper coordination between actions taken by the organization.
Subordination of individual interest to general interest– This means that the manager should always keep the organization’s interests at the forefront. The general interest of the company should always be considered before any individual’s or group’s interests. Otherwise, it could lead to organizational collapse.
Remuneration is the payment of fair remuneration for all employees, in proportion to their work. A fair remuneration policy is important as it affects employee satisfaction. For employees to be qualified and perform better, they need good remuneration. Compensation should be provided in both financial terms and non-financial.
Centralization – This refers to the distribution of authority levels across different levels of management. It states that there must be a fair balance in authority division. Centralization means that authority for decision-making is reserved to higher-ranking managers, and subordinates are not allowed to participate in the decision-making process. In contrast, subordinates can participate in decision-making in decentralization. For smooth operation of an organization, it is important to maintain a balance between decentralization and centralization.
Scalar Chain– A formal line of authority and responsibility that carries out communication within a company is called the Scalar Chain. It is also termed as chain of command which describes the hierarchy of authority from top level to bottom and superiors-subordinate’s relationship within the organization. It identifies who is where in an organization.
Order – All things in an organization should be in the right order, in the right order, and at the right time. For proper functioning, it is essential that all materials and people are in order. Also, it is important to ensure that the work environment is clean, safe and tidy.
Equity – Equity is a mixture of fairness, kindness and justice. This means that employers should treat all employees with kindness and fairness. It builds loyalty among employees.
Stability of Employment – Employees need job security and career advancement programs to increase their productivity. They should be allowed to settle in their job as instability will lower their efficiency.
Initiative – All employees should have the freedom to develop and implement plans. Encouragement of initiative among employees is a key to company success.
Esprit de Corps – Esprit de corp is “Team spirit”, and promotes team spirit within an organization. It will promote harmony, unity, and cooperation among employees. It will prevent any divide-and-rule policy, which will provide a tremendous source of strength and enhance the overall quality.

Application of administrative management in Nigeria

Setting Goals – The administrative management theory is used widely to set the goals of an organization. The identification of goals is key to determining a clear plan for achieving these goals. This strategy analyzes the input from within an organization to determine targets.
Establishing Standards – This is about establishing standards to provide value for stakeholders. These standards ensure that all products and services are acceptable in quality.
Performance Management – This strategy allows for periodic review of the organization’s performance. Administrative management is a theory that ensures all activities are moving in the right direction to achieve goals. For the best results, team members are encouraged to give feedback and can be directed in the right direction.
Budget Control and Cost Management – This strategy monitors all financial transactions. It determines the appropriate budget to accomplish the product and ensures that all activities are within the budget. It focuses on cost-efficient techniques to reduce costs and minimize the cost.
Leadership Development – A strategy for effective administrative management that focuses on the development of leadership qualities within the team. It promotes leaders within an organization, which is beneficial in increasing productivity.
Team Building – This management theory promotes unity and harmony among employees. This management theory implements team building strategies to motivate people towards their jobs. It also helps to build better relationships between team members and increases loyalty towards the company.

By choosing a local training provider, you can enroll in administrative management courses. We’ve compiled a list of the top administrative management courses in Nigeria for your convenience.