Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Mismanagement: meaning, definitions and examples

💼
Add to dictionary

mismanagement

 

[ˌmɪsˈmænɪdʒmənt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

in the workplace

Mismanagement refers to the act of managing or controlling something poorly or inefficiently. It can lead to a variety of negative outcomes such as financial loss, decreased productivity, employee dissatisfaction, and overall organizational dysfunction.

Synonyms

inefficiency, misadministration, poor management.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
mismanagement

This term is used to describe handling a situation or organization poorly, often leading to negative consequences.

  • The company's financial collapse was due to severe mismanagement.
  • Mismanagement of resources led to the project's failure.
inefficiency

This term is suitable when something or someone is not working as effectively as possible, wasting time, effort, or resources.

  • The inefficiency in the system caused long delays.
  • His inefficiency at work resulted in missed deadlines.
misadministration

This formal term refers to incorrect or poor administration, often in a bureaucratic or governmental context.

  • Misadministration of public funds can lead to serious legal consequences.
  • The school suffered from the misadministration of its budget.
poor management

This phrase is used in everyday language to describe ineffective management practices in various contexts, from small projects to entire organizations.

  • The restaurant closed down due to poor management.
  • Poor management of the team led to low morale and productivity.

Examples of usage

  • The mismanagement of funds resulted in the company going bankrupt.
  • Poor communication among the team led to mismanagement of the project timeline.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the prefix 'mis-', meaning wrong or bad, combined with 'management', which refers to handling or organizing tasks.
  • It first appeared in English texts in the early 19th century, reflecting the growing complexity of businesses.

Business

  • Mismanagement can lead to significant financial loss, affecting not just one company but the economy as a whole.
  • Common causes include poor decision-making, lack of resources, and ineffective communication among team members.

Psychology

  • Cognitive biases, like overconfidence or groupthink, can contribute to mismanagement by clouding judgment.
  • Research shows that stress in leaders can impair their decision-making, leading to poorer management outcomes.

Pop Culture

  • Mismanagement often serves as a plot device in movies and TV shows, showcasing the downfall of organizations or characters due to poor leadership.
  • Reality shows about business, such as 'The Apprentice', often emphasize mismanagement to highlight the impact of decisions.

Historical Events

  • Several major business collapses in history, including Enron, resulted from severe mismanagement and lack of ethical oversight.
  • In many cases, mismanagement not only ruined companies but also led to regulatory changes and reforms to prevent future occurrences.

Translations

Translations of the word "mismanagement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 má gestão

🇮🇳 कुप्रबंधन

🇩🇪 Missmanagement

🇮🇩 mismanajemen

🇺🇦 неправильне управління

🇵🇱 niewłaściwe zarządzanie

🇯🇵 誤管理

🇫🇷 mauvaise gestion

🇪🇸 mala gestión

🇹🇷 kötü yönetim

🇰🇷 잘못된 관리

🇸🇦 سوء الإدارة

🇨🇿 špatné řízení

🇸🇰 zlý manažment

🇨🇳 管理不善

🇸🇮 slabo upravljanje

🇮🇸 léleg stjórnun

🇰🇿 қате басқару

🇬🇪 არასწორი მენეჯმენტი

🇦🇿 səhv idarəetmə

🇲🇽 mala gestión

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,313, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.