Macromanagement is a style of leadership that is hands-off or from afar, allowing employees to have more freedom and control over their own work, while employers may shift their focus to strategic long-term goals.
Contrary to
micromanagement
Micromanagement is a management style characterized by behaviors such as an excessive focus on observing and controlling subordinates and an obsession with details.
Micromanagement generally has a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of fr ...
, where managers closely observe and control the work of their employees, macromanagement is a more independent style of organizational management. Managers step back and give employees the freedom to do their job as they see fit, as long as the desired result is achieved. Micromanagement often focuses on short-term results, while macromanagement emphasizes long-term outcomes.
Both styles of management are viewed negatively when taken to an extreme. Therefore, it is important for organizations to develop a balance between micro- and macromanagement practices and understand when to apply each approach effectively.
The downsides of macromanagement include a potential disconnect between managers and employees, as well as a lack of understanding regarding the roles and responsibilities of employees. These factors can contribute to an impression of bureaucracy within the workplace.
Another interpretation of macromanagement is when an organization perceives itself as a social
institution
An institution is a humanly devised structure of rules and norms that shape and constrain social behavior. All definitions of institutions generally entail that there is a level of persistence and continuity. Laws, rules, social conventions and ...
, aligning its goals and purpose with the aim of serving society. To achieve this, the organization ensures that its values, norms, and ethics are in harmony with those of the society in which it operates.
In 1971, Alan Wells defined a social institution as “patterns of rules, customs, norms, beliefs and roles that are instrumentally related to the needs and purposes of society.” Other examples of social institutions in this respect include government and religious organizations, some more in-line with serving society that others.
This interpretation of macromanagement is less about managing employees, but rather managing the organization from a broader perspective that is oriented toward the future. An organization that practices macromanagement greatly considers the future of the organization, the future of society, and their impact on one another.
See also
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Outline of management
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to management:
Management (or managing) is the administration of organizations, whether they are a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. The following ou ...
References
Bibliography
1. McFarland, Dalton E.(1977). ''Management, Humanism, and Society: The Case for Macromanagement Theory.'' Academy of Management. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
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Management