Read the following case and answer the question.
Due to heavy demand in the market, the Automobile Company XYZ Ltd. is facing shortage of manpower. Currently it has 5000 employees and need 500 more due to heavy demand. The manufacturing unit of company majority requires mechanical engineers, mechanic and designers. In a recent meeting various suggestions were obtained from HR manager, finance manager and production manager to the company. HR manager says Advertisement is a good method of recruitment whereas production manager is of the opinion to do campus recruitment. Finance manager refuses both offers as both are costly source of recruitment. According to him recommendation of employees is the best source.
Which function of management is being described in the above case?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Staffing
Option (1) Staffing — Correct. Staffing is the managerial function of filling and keeping filled the positions in the organisation structure; in simple words, “putting people to jobs”. In the case, the company needs 500 more employees and the managers discuss how to find them (advertisement, campus recruitment, recommendations). Working out the need for people and choosing the sources of recruitment are parts of staffing.
Option (2) Planning — Incorrect. Planning is deciding in advance what to do and how to do it. The case is about getting people, not setting goals.
Option (3) Directing — Incorrect. Directing is guiding and motivating people who are already working. The new people have not even joined yet.
Option (4) Controlling — Incorrect. Controlling is checking actual work against the plan. Nothing is being checked in the case.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Meaning After planning and selection of the organisation structure, the next step in the management process is to fill the various posts provided in the organisation. This is termed as the management of staffing function. In the simplest terms, staffing is ‘putting people to jobs…” “Staffing has been described as the managerial function of filling and keeping filled the positions in the organisation structure. This is achieved by, first of all, identifying requirement of work force, followed by recruitment, selection, placement, promotion, appraisal and development of personnel, to fill the roles designed into the organisation structure.” |