Final answer:
The practice-based perspective on managing people revolves around the practical day-to-day functions and hierarchy within an organization. In contrast, the functionalist perspective provides a broader analysis of how organizational practices contribute to societal stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice-based perspective on managing people, often referred to in general terms, focuses on day-to-day operations and the hierarchical roles within an organization. It typically deals with the functional aspects of managing human resources such as recruitment, training, compensation, and performance management. Conversely, the functionalist perspective is a macroanalytical view that looks at the larger social functions and the role different aspects of society play to maintain its stability. Functionalists might analyze the ways in which various management practices contribute to the overall health and viability of the organization and society as a whole.
For instance, functionalists are interested in why certain management practices exist and what role they serve within the larger system. They might argue that hierarchical structures in an organization exist because they create a more efficient process for decision-making and allow for specialists to prosper, contributing to the overall success of the society or economy. On the other hand, practice-based management focuses more on immediate, practical concerns and may not delve into the larger social implications.
Another key difference lies in the perspectives' approach to social stratification and power dynamics. Functionalists often view stratification as a necessary part of society that fulfills certain roles or functions. In contrast, conflict theory, which has some overlap with practice-based perspectives, emphasizes the resulting inequalities and power struggles within the organizational framework. It suggests that certain practices may be designed to maintain the status of the powerful at the expense of others.
Lastly, the interactionist perspective, which is distinct from both practice-based and functionalist perspectives, focuses on the everyday interactions between individuals and the meanings they attach to these interactions. This perspective might look into how individual behaviors and interactions within an organization affect the broader social structure.