Responsibility for Control, Essay Example

It is true that every individual employee in an organization plays a role in controlling work activities. First of all, control usually has a negative relationship with organization size. The owner of a small shop can control all aspects of the company’s operations but as the organization expands, it becomes difficult for the management to exercise effective control. Thus, management is forced to delegate more control and authority to subordinates to maintain tight control (Joseph).

The competition has been continuously increasing due to globalization and the higher expectations from customers have forced companies to achieve higher standards of quality. Quality tools such as TQM require company-wide commitment to high quality standards. This is done by involving everyone from the management to the subordinates to engage in quality control activities (Murray).

Another effect of globalization has been an increase in the importance of human capital and one of the most effective ways to empower employees is to give them control (Goldsmith, 2010). There are many benefits to giving control to employees. First of all, employees are closer to the action whether actual production activities or interaction with customers, thus, they can devise better solutions due to better understanding of the issue. In addition, giving control to employees also speeds up the decision making process and improve operating efficiency.

There used to be a time when leaders could rule in autocratic manner but times have changed and there is pressure on organizations to become more efficient, improve quality, and empower employees so as not to lose them to the competition. Thus, organizations benefit when every individual plays a role in controlling work activities.

References

Goldsmith, M. (2010, April 23). Empowering Your Employees to Empower Themselves. Retrieved December 5, 2012, from http://blogs.hbr.org/goldsmith/2010/04/empowering_your_employees_to_e.html

Joseph, C. (n.d.). Benefits & Disadvantages of a Functional Organizational Structure. Retrieved December 5, 2012, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-disadvantages-functional-organizational-structure-11944.html

Murray, M. (n.d.). Total Quality Management (TQM). Retrieved December 5, 2012, from http://logistics.about.com/od/qualityinthesupplychain/a/TQM.htm