Managerial Recycling

Introduction As in any past period, companies are under a number of pressures, both internal and external, which call for changes in management style, management functions, etc. What tends to make the present period distinct, and in some ways sets it apart from previous periods, is that these pressures are more acute and are demanding that rapid and quite radical changes be made. This article is not directly concerned with either the source or the cause of these pressures, but more with their implications for a company's personnel policy as it relates to its managerial and professional staffs. For the purposes of our discussion it is more important to know the severity and speed of the impact of the pressures rather than to be fully acquainted with the nature of the pressures themselves. For example, the impact technological change will have upon both production and office work methods will be profound. There is no need to know in detail how a new technological system operates, such as a word processor, all that needs to be known at this stage is that it has the capability of reducing manning levels in the office, of increasing office productivity, and of changing personnel organisation alongside other changes. In short, it is important to be aware that this or that pressure, technology in this case, will have a series of broad implications for present work practices. It is probably sensible to keep the discussion at this more general level as the mix of pressures will have different implications for each company.