1.5

NATURE OF MANAGEMENT

Some authors regard management as science because there are well tested and experimented principles of management, some authors describe management as an art because more practice      is required in management and some authors consider that management is going towards the paths of profession. To conclude whether management is science, art and profession and compare them with management meaning and features.

 Management as a Science

Science can be defined as a systematic and organised body of knowledge based on logically observed findings, facts and events.

Science comprises of exact principles which can be verified and it can establish cause and effect relations.

Main characteristics/features of science are:

                                      

1.      Systematic body of knowledge. In science organised and systematic study of material is available which is used to acquire the knowledge of science. Like science in management also there is availability of systematic and organised study material. So first feature of science is present in management.

2.      Scientific principles are derived on the bases of logical and scientific observations. The scientists perform logical observation before deriving any principle or theory. They are very objective while doing the observations. But when managers are observing they have to observe human beings and observation of human being cannot be purely logical and objective. Some kind of subjectively enters in the observations so this feature of science is not present in management.

3.      Principles are based on repeating experiments. Before developing scientific principles scientists test these principles under different conditions and places. Similarly, managers also test and experiment managerial principles under different conditions in different organizations. So this feature of science is present in management.

4.      Universal Validity. Scientific principles have universal application and validity. Management principles are not exact like scientific principles so their application and use is not universal. They have to modify according to the given situation. So this feature of science is not present in management.

5.      Replication is possible .In science replication is possible as when two scientists are undertaking the same investigation working independently and treating the same data under the same conditions may desire or obtain the identical or exactly same result. 

But in management managers have to conduct research or experiments on human beings. So if two managers are investigating same data, on different sets of human beings they will not get identical or same result because human beings never respond in exactly identical manner. So this feature of science is also not present in management.