The compilation of these Nature and Significance of Management Notes makes students exam preparation simpler and organised.
Management as Science
The beauty of management lies in the fact that it is a multiverse subject. In other words, it can be science, art, profession or all of these simultaneously depending on your perception. Management is very systematic and concrete and so we consider management as a science. Let us have a look at the scientific side of management.
What is a Science?
We need to understand how a field is qualified as science before venturing into the scientific side of management. The basic features of science are:
Systematised Body of Knowledge
Scientific principles are based on a cause-and-effect relationship. By and large, science is a systematic body of language. For example, gravity explains the phenomenon of an apple falling from a tree.
Principles-based on Experimentation
Scientific conclusions are not a result of hearsay or raw observations. Rather the results are based on careful observation which is proved by experiments performed under controlled conditions.
Universal Validity
Scientific concepts and laws are applicable universally. There may be exceptions to the rule, but these are
Management as a Science
Management is in complete agreement with all the features of science mentioned above. Let us discuss how:
Management is a systematic subject. Evidently, it has various concepts and theories which are developing with time and is also related to other subjects like mathematics, economics, etc. Further, there are certain terms and vocabulary exclusive to management. Management professionals extensively use these terms to communicate with each other.
The various principles and concepts of management are a result of constant experimentation and observation. However, human beings are complex organisms with unpredictable behaviours. Interestingly management deals with human beings and human behaviour. As a result of the experiments in the field of management are not completely predictable or replicable. We can predict the outcomes ut can’t be entirely sure of it. This means there exists an element of uncertainty. Evidently, management is also known as an inexact science.
As discussed the principles of management are not exact, relative to other concrete sciences like maths, chemistry, etc. Thus these concepts are also non-universal. However, they can be applied to a wide variety of situations and form the pillars of the science of management. Further, managers use these principles to tackle situations and for the training and development of managers.
Example:
Question 1.
Management is a _____ science?
a. Applied
b. Exact
c. Inexact
d. None of the above
Answer:
The answer is “c”.
While we do see management as a science, it is not an exact science. Since management deals with humans and their unpredictable behaviour it cannot be an exact science.
Question 2.
Scientific principles are based on _____________
a. Hypothesis
b. Theoretical knowledge
c. Creativity
d. Experimentation
Answer:
The correct answer is “d”.
All scientific principles are based on experimentation.