There are three levels of management in most organizations: top-level management, middle-level management, and lower-level management. Top-level management includes senior executives like the CEO and sets the overall goals and strategic direction of the organization. Middle-level management includes department managers and oversees individual departments, executing the plans of top management. Lower-level management, also called supervisory management, directly supervises operative employees and makes sure work is carried out properly. Each level of management has distinct roles and responsibilities in ensuring the organization functions effectively.

1. Laya May S. Barredo AB-D
Levels of Management
In today's fast phase competitive world, business is continually changing. Most of these
organizations are on the chase of competitive advantage or according to study.com "a way to
strategically move ahead of the competition in the marketplace". However, earning that
competitive advantage takes work. Goals must be set, plans must be made, people must be
motivated and mobilized, resources must be gathered and distributed and objectives have to be
monitored and assessed. There are three levels of management. According to
StudyGuideInManagement.Com "'the term “Levels of Management’' refers to a line of
demarcation between various managerial positions in an organization: The Top-Level
Management, Middle-Level Management and Low-Level Management. The number of levels in
management increases when the size of the business and work force increases and vice versa.
Top-Level Management is made up of senior executives of an organization or those
positions that hold the most responsibility. The top management is the ultimate source of
authority and it manages goals and policies for an enterprise. It devotes more time on planning
and coordinating functions. According to Wikipedia.Com "job title such as Chief Executive
Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), President and
Vice President are commonly use by top managers in a organization". These top managers are
responsible for setting the overall direction and making sure that organizational goals are
achieved. Their leadership role could expand the whole organization or for a specific division
such as finance, marketing, human resource or operations. Top management lays down the
objectives and broad policies of the enterprise. They issues necessary instructions for preparation
of department budgets, procedures, schedules etc. prepares strategic plans & policies for the
enterprise. Who appoints the executive for middle level for example departmental manager.
Controls and coordinates the activities of all the departments. According to
ManagementHub.Com "the top management is also responsible for maintaining a contact with
the outside world. They provide guidance and direction and also responsible towards the
shareholders for the performance of the enterprise". Middle-Level Management is the branch of
managers and departmental managers constitute middle level. They are to the top management
for the functioning of their department. They devote more time to organizational and directional

2. functions. In small organization, there is only one layer of middle level of management but in big
enterprises, there may be senior and junior middle level management. According to
Boundless.Com "middle management is the intermediate leadership level of a hierarchical
organization, being subordinate to the senior management but above the lowest levels of
operational staff. For example, operational supervisors may be considered middle management;
they may also be categorized as non-management staff, depending upon the policy of the
particular organization". Middle-level managers can include general managers, branch managers,
and department managers. They are accountable to the top-level management for their
department's function, and they devote more time to organizational and directional functions than
upper management. A middle manager’s role is executing the plans of the organization in
accordance with the policies and directives of the top management. They make plans for the sub-
units of the organization. Participate in employment and training of lower level management.
They interpret and explain policies from top level management to lower level. They are
responsible for coordinating the activities within the division or department who also sends
important reports and other important data to top level management. Evaluate performance of
junior managers. They are also responsible for inspiring lower level managers towards better
performance. Lower-Level Management, lower level is also known as supervisory or operative
level of management. It consists of supervisors, foreman, section officers, superintendent etc.
According to R.C. Davis, “Supervisory management refers to those executives whose work has
to be largely with personal oversight and direction of operative employees”. In other words, they
are concerned with direction and controlling function of management. Supervisor management is
above the operatives but below the middle level management in the organization. The executives
at this level are in direct touch with the rank and file of workers and have to see that the work is
properly carried out. The personnel employed at this level play an important role in the
organization. According to StudyManagement.Blogspot.Com "The effective implementation of
the plans and policies, the quality of workmanship quality of output and overall success of the
organization very much depend on the hard labor, discipline and loyalty of the personnel at this
level of management". Further, this level of management represents the workers before the
higher management to the workers. The functions of management are assigning of jobs and tasks
to various workers. They guide and instruct workers for day to day activities. They are
responsible for the quality as well as quantity of production. They are also entrusted with the
responsibility of maintaining good relation in the organization. They communicate workers
problems, suggestions, and recommendatory appeals etc to the higher level and higher level
goals and objectives to the workers. They help to solve the grievances of the workers. According
to BusinessDictionary.Com "Managers supervise and guide the sub-ordinates who are
responsible for providing training to the workers. Arrange necessary materials, machines, tools
etc for getting the things done." They also prepare periodical reports about the performance of
the workers. Motivate workers. And are the image builders of the enterprise because they are in
direct contact with the workers.

3. Thus, the said hierarchy of three primary levels has its own tasks and responsibilities.
Where, first-level managers are in contact with non-management employees, often serving as
supervisors or retail managers, or in other capacities that involve the day-to-day business operations.
Their tasks often include scheduling, budgeting, human resources activities and disciplinary
measures; mid-level managers are a step above the first-level managers. They serve as intermediaries
between lower-level managers and the highest level within the management hierarchy. These
managers may still be involved in the daily company operations, but they often depend on the input
of first-level managers. Mid-level managers are generally operations managers or general managers,
but they can also serve as regional managers; and lastly, the upper-level managers are the top
executives in a company. They rely on input from mid-level managers to determine what direction
the company is heading and if any changes need to be made. Upper-level managers usually include
chief executive officers, chief financial officers and other top leaders responsible for developing the
company's vision and making the executive decisions that affect the organization's future
(smallbusiness.chron.com).