Mutuality in understanding of the program manager´s management role

The program manager´s understanding of his management role is compared with his superior´s and his subordinates´ understanding of it. Seven role dimensions of his job are studied based on published studies of the task emphasis managers give to their role. Surveys of 144 respondents in two electronic companies show excellent congruence in understanding at all three levels studied in each company. Areas of disparity concern managerial orientation (compared with technical orientation) and employee orientation (compared with production orientation). Downward orientation and participative leadership style seem to be at odds with studies of factory supervision, and reasons are offered for these differences. Other data support earlier research emphasizing face-to-face communication, planning, and controlling as key elements in the program manager´s job.