Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of "control" as a management function and highlights the potential harm caused by inappropriate control measures [1] Group 1: Situations Leading to Inappropriate Control - Setting unattainable goals can lead to management losing control, as high expectations may not be recognized as unrealistic by leaders [2] - The presence of unpredictable standards, which are unquantifiable and subject to constant change, can hinder effective guidance and evaluation [3] - Lack of situational control and influence prevents effective management, as control requires the ability to assess and impact circumstances favorably [4][5] - Conflicting standards within an organization can lead employees to rely on personal judgment, resulting in poor decision-making [6][7] Group 2: Negative Reactions to Control - Employees may perceive performance targets as pressure tools, leading to short-sighted decisions that neglect broader organizational goals [10] - A focus on individual tasks can result in neglecting overall organizational objectives, necessitating performance standards that encompass all critical aspects [12] - Overemphasis on short-term factors can detract from long-term considerations, such as reputation and customer development [13][14] - Prioritizing easily measurable factors can lead to neglect of qualitative aspects, requiring a balanced focus on both process and results [15][16] - Employees may conceal information to protect themselves, necessitating accurate budget assessments and avoiding arbitrary cuts [17] - Resistance to control can manifest in bureaucratic behavior, strategic manipulation of information, or submission of false data, which requires improved standards and regular reporting [18][20] Group 3: Recommendations for Effective Control - Establishing effective standards that are relevant, fair, achievable, and specific is crucial for successful management [24] - The degree of control should match the task at hand, balancing between strict oversight for routine tasks and more flexible approaches for riskier endeavors [25] - Collective participation in setting performance standards can ensure relevance and fairness, especially in complex matters [26] - Avoiding reliance on incomplete standards is essential for comprehensive and fair performance evaluations [27] - Reducing dependence on control reports while incorporating other methods, such as on-site inspections, can enhance management effectiveness [28] - Providing timely feedback on performance can boost morale and improve outcomes, particularly when standards are high [29] - Focusing on significant errors while not overreacting to minor mistakes is vital for effective control, emphasizing a holistic approach throughout the management process [30]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes the importance of control as a fundamental function in management to ensure performance achievement, despite the growing focus on empowerment and activation due to digital technology [1][2] - Control is essential for transforming corporate planning, organization, and leadership into performance, requiring measurement, verification, and correction throughout the process [3][4] Group 2 - Control serves five key functions: preventing crises, standardizing production, assessing employee performance, revising plans, and safeguarding organizational assets [5][6][7] - Control should be understood as a management behavior aimed at goals rather than a means of controlling individuals, focusing on continuous alignment with objectives and plans [8] Group 3 - The control process consists of four steps: establishing work goals and assessment standards, measuring actual performance, comparing actual performance with goals, and taking necessary corrective actions [9][10][11] - Effective control requires the establishment of standards, quantification of those standards, and a comprehensive approach throughout the management process [13][14][19] Group 4 - Effective control methods possess five important characteristics: economic efficiency, relevance to significant issues, timeliness, clarity, and the ability to clearly indicate necessary actions [20][21][22][23][24][25]