What are Policies?
The general statements that guide thinking and channel energy toward a particular direction are known as Policies. Policies are a type of Standing Plan and they provide a basis for interpreting strategy. A manager uses policies at his discretion. E.g. Decisions taken under recruitment policy can be in the case of recruiting employees for a new division, such as whether to recruit from the existing employees or to explore other external sources of recruitment, various policies under it regarding the salary structure, etc. A policy is used by organizations as a guide that avoids confusion and provides a structured and unified framework.
Difference between Policies and Objectives
Policies and Objectives are two types of Standing Plan. Policies are the general statements that guide thinking and channel energy toward a particular direction. However, Objectives are the endpoints towards which all business activities are directed.