Page 64 - Fundamentals of Management Myths Debunked (2017)_Flat

CHAPTER 2 • The Management Environment 63
Just imagine how these population trends are likely to impact global organizations and the technology
way managers manage. Any equipment, tools, or operating methods that
are designed to make work more efficient

How Does the External Environment Affect Managers?

Knowing what the various components of the external
2-2 Discuss how environment are and examining certain aspects of that
the external environment are important for managers. However, un-
environment derstanding how the environment affects managers is
equally as important. We’re going to look at three ways
affects managers. the external environment constrains and challenges man-
agers: (1) through its impact on jobs and employment,
(2) through the environmental uncertainty that is present,
and (3) through the various stakeholder relationships that exist between an organization and
its external constituencies.

JobS and EmploymEnt. As any or all of the external environmental conditions
change, one of the most powerful constraints managers face is the impact of such changes
on jobs and employment—both in poor conditions and in good conditions. The power

::::::: Technology and the Manager’s Job :::::::

Can TEChnoLogy ImPRovE ThE Way managERs managE?

Continuing advancements in technology offer many exciting possi- smartphones, organizational intranets, and other IT tools, organiza-
bilities for how workers work and managers manage. Technology tional members who work mainly with information can do that work
includes any equipment, tools, or operating methods that are from any place at any time.
designed to make work more Finally, technology is also changing the
efficient. One area where technol- Twenty-five billion. That’s way managers manage, especially in terms of
ogy has had an impact is in the the number of “things” how they interact with employees who may
process where inputs (labor, raw (smartphones, smartwatches, be working anywhere and anytime. Effectively
materials, and the like) are trans- climate-control system communicating with telecommuting individu-
formed into outputs (goods and sensors, kitchen refrigerators, als who may simply be working from home or
services to be sold). In years past, cars, etc.) Gartner Inc. who may be working halfway around the world
this transformation was usually predicts will be connected to and ensuring that work goals are being met
performed by human labor. With the Internet by 2020. This are challenges that managers must address.
technology, however, human labor Internet of Things (IoT) Throughout the rest of the book, we’ll look at
has been replaced with electronic is transforming businesses how managers are meeting those challenges
and computer equipment. From in the ways they plan, organize, lead, and
robots in offices to online banking and disrupting industries and control.
25
systems to social networks where societies around the world. If your professor has assigned this, go to the
employees interact with customers, Assignments section of mymanagementlab.
technology has made the work of creating and delivering goods and com to complete these discussion questions.
services more efficient and effective. talk about It 3: Is management easier or harder with all the
Another area where technology has had a major impact is in available technology? Explain your position.
information. Information technology (IT) has created the ability to talk about It 4: What benefits does technology provide
circumvent the physical confines of working only in a specified orga- and what problems does technology pose for (a) employees and (b)
nizational location. With notebook and desktop computers, tablets, managers?