World of Management | Discuss the difference between efficiency and effectiveness

Discuss the difference between efficiency and effectiveness. 

COMMUNICATION | Describe the different sources of noise that interfere with the effectiveness of the communication process

Describe the different sources of noise that interfere with the effectiveness of the communication process.

ANSWER

Common sources of noise include information filtering, poor choice of channels, poor written or oral expression, failures to recognize nonverbal signals, and physical distractions.

1.       Information filtering: It is the intentional distortion of information to make it appear most favorable to the recipient. The problem with information filtering is someone telling the boss what they think he or she wants to hear. Whether the reason is a fear of retribution for bringing bad news, unwillingness to identify personal mistakes, or just a general desire to please, the end result is the same. The higher-level gets biased and inaccurate information from below and ends up making bad decisions.

2.       Poor choice of channels: A communication channel is the pathway or medium through which a message is conveyed from sender to receiver. Good communicators choose the right channel, or combination of channels, to accomplish their intended purpose. Written channels—paper or electronic—are most acceptable for simple messages that are easy to convey and for those that require extensive dissemination quickly. They are also important as documentation when formal policies or directives are being conveyed. Spoken channels such as face-to-face or virtual meetings work best for messages that are complex and difficult to convey and where immediate feedback to the sender is valuable. They are more personal and more likely to be perceived as supportive or even inspirational.

3.       Poor written or oral expression: Communication will only be effective when the sender expresses the message in a way that is clearly understood by the receiver. Words must be well chosen and properly used, something we all too often fail at.

4.       Failure to recognize nonverbal signals: Nonverbal communication takes place through gestures, facial expressions, body posture, eye contact, and the use of interpersonal space. Mixed message results when words communicate one message while actions, body language, or appearance communicate something else.

5.       Physical distractions: Any number of physical distractions can interfere with communication effectiveness. Some of these distractions include telephone interruptions, drop-in visitors, and lack of privacy.

Source: Management, 11th Edition & 12th Edition- John R. Schermerhorn

Control | Organizational Effectiveness is a Better Measure of Organizational Performance Than Organizational Productivity

Organizational effectiveness is a better measure of organizational performance than organizational productivity. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? 

Answer: 

Organizational effectiveness is a measure of how appropriate organizational goals are and how well those goals are being met. So an effective organization is certain to meet its goals. High organizational productivity does not necessarily indicate that organizational goals have been achieved. Hence organizational effectiveness, as a measure of organizational performance, can be considered a more accurate tool of measurement.

Productivity is the amount of goods or services produced divided by the inputs needed to generate that output. So it could be easier to calculate productivity. Students could disagree stating these reasons.

Source: Management, 11e (Robbins/Coulter)

Management and Organizations | Efficiency and Effectiveness

Discuss the difference between efficiency and effectiveness and include a specific example to support each concept.

Answer:  

• a. Efficiency refers to getting the most output from the least amount of inputs. Because managers deal with scarce inputsincluding resources such as people, money, and equipmentthey are concerned with the efficient use of resources. For instance, at the HON Company plant in Cedartown, Georgia, where employees make and assemble steel and wooden office furniture, efficient manufacturing techniques were implemented by doing things such as cutting inventory levels, decreasing the amount of time to manufacture products, and lowering product reject rates. From this perspective, efficiency is often referred to as "doing things right"that is, not wasting resources.
• b. Effectiveness is often described as "doing the right things"–that is, those work activities that will help the organization reach its goals. For instance, at the HON factory, goals included meeting customers' increasingly stringent needs, executing world-class manufacturing strategies, and making employee jobs easier and safer. Through various work methods and programs, these goals were pursued and achieved. Whereas efficiency is concerned with the means of getting things done, effectiveness is concerned with the ends, or attainment of organizational goals.

Management, 10e (Robbins/Coulter)