Management as an Art, Science and Profession - Management as a Science

• Science is a systematically organised body of knowledge based on principles and verification.
• Management uses techniques like planning, motivation, direction and control.
• These techniques produce similar results in similar situations.
• Hence, management has characteristics of science.

Systematic Body of Knowledge 

• Science is based on systematic experiments, rules, and principles.
• Management principles and functions are also developed through experiments and studied through various management theories and approaches.

Scientific Methods of Observation 

• In science, conclusions are based on scientific methods of observation.
• Management uses systematic methods for data collection, verification, analysis, interpretation, and then decisions are taken in the organisation.

Cause and Effect Relationship

• Science works on cause and effect; specific combinations give specific results.
• Management theories also follow cause and effect.
• Appropriate salary and healthy working conditions improve performance; old machinery reduces speed of output.

Universal Applicability of Principles

• Scientific principles can be applied in all similar situations and give the same result.
• Management principles are also universal and can be applied in any condition and situation.

• Systematised body of knowledge.
• Principles based on observation and experimentation.
• Universal validity.

• Has its own theories, principles and vocabulary.
• Draws knowledge from Economics, Sociology, Psychology and Mathematics.
• Principles evolved through observation and experimentation.
• Deals with human behaviour, so it is an inexact science.
• Principles are modified according to situations.
• Provides standardised techniques for training managers.

• Management has features of both art and science.
• Practice of management is an art.
• Principles of management form its science.
• Art and science complement each other.

• Management draws knowledge from Anthropology, Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.
• These disciplines help managers understand people, ethics, behaviour and organisations.

• Science: Mixing baking soda and vinegar will always create fizz (gas)—the result is a fixed outcome.
• Management: Raising salaries should motivate workers, but some may still be unhappy due to personal reasons.

• Management uses organised, verifiable knowledge and principles, so it shows key features of science.
• Management and science share systematic knowledge, observation, cause–effect relationships, and universal principles.
• Management is a social and inexact science because it deals with human behaviour and qualitative outcomes.
• Management principles arise from experimentation, draw from many disciplines, and need situational modification.
• Management combines art (practice) and science (principles), and both work together for effective management.