Levels of Management in the USA

In the USA in most organizations the management group consists of three levels management hierarchy: top, middle, and first-line (supervisory).

Top management consists of the chief executive officer or president—and that persons who are often called vice presidents. Many U.S. companies have a board of directors. The board, in turn, is elected by the corporation's stockholders—the owners. Top management, is responsible for the overall management of the organization.

Middle management includes managers below the rank of vice president. Some organizations include two or three middle-management levels. Typically, planning and sales managers are middle managers.

First-line managers,or supervisors,are the lowest level of management. They manage their specific groups and direct the actual work of the organization. Their subordinates are simple workers—the men and women.

The picture down below illustrates the three levels of management in one organization and includes the titles used for managers at each level in the USA.

 

Text: «Levels of Management in the USA»

 

I. Remember the following words and expressions:

management hierarchy; supervisory; chief executive officer; vice-president;

a board of directors; stockholder; overall; below; rank; the owner; typically;

specific; actual; subordinate; title; level;

 

II. Translate the following sentences from Russian into English:

Управленческая иерархия (менеджмент) в США состоит из трех уровней.

Президент и вице-президент компании относятся к высшему руководству.

Во многих американских компаниях имеется совет директоров.

Совет директоров избирается акционерами компании.

Высшее руководство осуществляет общее управление организацией.

Руководители среднего звена включают управляющих рангом ниже вице-президента.

Менеджеры по продажам также являются руководителями среднего звена.

Администраторы – это руководители занимающие самую низшую ступень в управленческой иерархии

Подчиненными менеджеров (руководителей) первого уровня являются простые рабочие – мужчины и женщины.

Администраторы руководят непосредственной работой организации.

 

Ш. Analyze the text «Levels of Management in the USA» and answer the questions:

How many levels of management hierarchy are there in the USA?

What are the levels of management in most organizations in the USA?

Have many U.S. companies a board of directors?

Whom is the board of directors elected by?

Who are the corporation´s stockholders?

What is top management responsible for?

Does middle management include managers below the rank of vice-president?

What are the main functions of middle management?

Who are supervisors

What do supervisor manage?

 

IV. Finish the sentences given below:

In the USA the management group consists of _______________.

Top management consists of _____________________________.

Many U.S. companies have _____________________________.

The board of directors is elected by _______________________.

Top management is responsible for _______________________.

Planning and sales managers are __________________________.

Supervisors are _______________________________________.

Supervisors manage ___________________________________.

First-line managers direct _______________________________.

The subordinates of supervisors are _______________________.

 

V. Ask your friend if he (she) knows the definition of the following word-combinations:

Top management.

Middle management.

First-line, or Supervisory Management.

 

VI. Give proper translation of the words given below. Write one sentence with each word.

executive;

stockholder;

subordinate;

vice-president;

supervisor;

 

VII. Speak on «Management hierarchy in the USA».