Abstract

STEYN, Z  and  VAN STADEN, LJ. Investigating the planning and administration competencies of managers in manufacturing businesses. JCMAN [online]. 2017, vol.14, n.1, pp.674-701. ISSN 1815-7440.

Planning and administration as managerial competencies of managers in manufacturing businesses are important for effective management due to the continuous evolving business environment. This study aimed at measuring the extent of planning and administration competencies of managers in the manufacturing industry. Variables investigated were information-gathering and problem-solving, planning and organising, time management, and budgeting and financial management. The sample consisted of 343 respondents from 67 different manufacturing businesses in four provinces of South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive research design was implemented, while a non-probability sampling technique was applied. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire compiled by the researchers. Results indicated that managers revealed a good to very good level of planning and administration competency which embraced information-gathering and problem-solving, planning and organising, time management as well as budgeting and financial management skills. Further to this, a significant and positive relationship exists between managers' information-gathering and problem-solving, as well as planning and organising competencies, and also between managers' time management, and budgeting and financial management competencies. The main contribution of this study is that if managers have good knowledge of the identified competencies and associated key elements they can enhance their personal and business performance.

Keywords : manufacturing businesses; managerial competencies; managers; planning and administration.

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