Research Information System
55th International Scientific Conference on Economic and Social Development, vol.2, pp.617-625, 2020 (Conference Book)
The central purpose of this article is to draw attention to ways that interpersonal trust between supervisors and employees can be fostered through activities associated with the four functions of management. Interpersonal trust has received increasing attention as an important variable for effective management and the success of organizations. Further, managers serve a critical role in promoting organizational success. Practical insights regarding activities that promote interpersonal trust within each of the four functions of management is briefly discussed. These insights are offered with the intent of encouraging a more deliberate focus on trust within the functions of management. The purpose of this article is to initiate a practical dialogue regarding the question of how the four core functions of management (i.e., planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) can be used to foster interpersonal trust between supervisors and employees. Justification for framing the dialogue within the context of the four functions of management is based on the use of these functions as the foundation or core of most management education curricula and courses. For many, the exposure to managerial concepts in entry-level courses serve a formative role in influencing future management philosophies, values, and behavior. Surprisingly, however, the topic of trust is not covered consistently in management texts. Organizing and assigning work by a manger that fosters trust is through the structure of authority. A structure that relies on decentralized authority, as well as empowerment, allows employees to become more responsible for their jobs and decisions related to their jobs, contributing to heightened employee trust. Trust has also been determined to provide a sense of psychological safety for team-members, one in which members are at ease with criticisms of their work, or discussing their mistakes.