Coping Strategies for Managing the Ineffective Subordinate in Production/Operations Management

Abstract

Production/operations managers want to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their subordinates. If an ineffective subordinate cannot be terminated the operations manager must devise a means of coping with this individual. A mail questionnaire survey of manufacturing firms listed in the 1984 Standard and Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives and a parallel telephone questionnaire survey were administered to production/operations managers in the USA. One hundred and eighty‐four usable returns, representing 82 manufacturing organisations, were received. Results show that coping strategies used by production/operations managers vary as a function of the superior's age, level of management and years of experience. Coping strategies change over time. Recently passive strategies have been used to a greater extent. Previously more active strategies were used. Active strategies for dealing with ineffective subordinates are now gaining favour again.

Citation

Schniederjans, M.J. and Stoeberl, P.A. (1986), "Coping Strategies for Managing the Ineffective Subordinate in Production/Operations Management", Management Research News, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 10-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb027893