Nature of Management

Introduction: What is the Nature of Management?

For a very long time, experts have debated the true nature of management. When we look at what managers actually do, we have to ask: Is management a science, an art, or a profession? Let us understand each of these ideas step by step so that the concept becomes crystal clear.

Management as a Science

One group of thinkers strongly believes that management is a science. Science is simply a systematic body of knowledge that uses logic, rules, and experiments to find truths that can be applied anywhere. Science also looks for cause-and-effect relationships.

Why is Management considered a Science?

Universal Rules: Over many years, management has developed its own theories, laws, and principles that can be used in all types of organizations.

Logic and Facts: A famous thinker named Luther Gullick said that business relationships can be explained scientifically using proven theories, logic, and facts.

Experimentation: Another great thinker, F.W. Taylor, introduced "Scientific Management". He did many experiments on human workers in factories to find the best and most efficient ways to do a job. This proves that management uses scientific methods.

Why is Management an "Inexact" Science?

Even though management uses science, it is not a "pure" or "exact" science like Physics or Chemistry. Why?

The Human Element: Management deals with human beings. Human behavior is very complex and almost impossible to predict perfectly.

Changing Situations: The business world is always changing (it is dynamic), which makes it hard to guarantee that a rule will work exactly the same way every single time. Because of these reasons, experts call management an "inexact science". However, managers still use advanced tools from mathematics, statistics, and psychology to make it as scientific as possible.

Management as an Art

Another group of thinkers completely disagrees with the science idea. They argue that management cannot just be logical and strict like basic science. Instead, they believe management is an art.

Why is Management considered an Art?

Using Personal Skills: Art is all about applying theories to solve real-world problems. A thinker named George Terry said that management is basically "bringing about desired results through the application of skills".

Intuition and Judgment: A good manager does not just look at a rulebook. They use their past experience, personal intuition, and good judgment to make decisions.

Continuous Practice: Just like a musician becomes better by practicing, a manager becomes successful through continuous, deliberate practice of their skills.

Creativity: Every problem in business is new. Managers have to be highly creative and innovative to find solutions, which is exactly what artists do.

Management as a Combination of Science and Art

Since there are good points on both sides, a third group of scholars says that management is a combination of both science and art.

They believe that managing a business is a highly creative art, but it is also becoming very scientific. A good manager needs the pure knowledge of rules (the Science) and the creative ability to apply those rules to people (the Art).

Table 1: Simple Differences Between Science and Art in Management

Feature	Management as a Science	Management as an Art
Basic Meaning	It is a systematic body of knowledge with proven theories.	It is the creative application of personal skills to get results.
How it works	Uses logic, experiments, and cause-and-effect rules.	Uses intuition, judgment, and deliberate practice.
Who supports it	Thinkers like F.W. Taylor and Luther Gullick.	Thinkers like George Terry.

Management as a Profession

Finally, we must look at management as a profession. A profession is a certified job where people use basic principles while following a strict code of conduct (like doctors or lawyers).

Edgar Schein’s Rules for a Profession

A psychologist named Edgar Schein created a list of conditions that a job must meet to be called a profession. Let us look at his conditions and see if modern management fits them.

Table 2: Does Management fit Edgar Schein's Criteria?

Schein's Criteria for a Profession	Does Management Have This?
1. Codified body of knowledge	Yes. Management has created a deep body of knowledge and principles that work in many organizations.
2. Formal education and training	Yes. Students go to B-Schools or Universities for formal education and complete strict training.
3. Code of conduct/ethics	Yes. Today, companies demand highly ethical behavior and have strict codes of conduct.
4. Professional tools and special fields	Yes. Evaluating agencies like NAAC or NBC check the quality of these specialized studies.
5. A professional body/association	Yes. In India, AIMS brings academic institutions together, and AIMA brings practicing managers together to solve problems.

Is Management a Full Profession?

Because of the efforts of business schools, industry groups, and strict company rules, management is now widely considered a profession. Managers are seen as professionals who offer a specialized service. Much like accounting or law, management is slowly but surely reaching the status of a fully respected profession.

Examples and Practical Applications

Science in action: When a manager uses statistics and mathematical charts to calculate exactly how much raw material to order for the next month, they are using management as a science.

Art in action: When a manager notices that a team is feeling sad and unmotivated, and uses kind words, creativity, and personal leadership to cheer them up, they are using management as an art.

Profession in action: When a young student studies for an MBA, joins the All India Management Association (AIMA), and signs a document promising never to take bribes, they are treating management as a profession.

Quick Revision Summary

The nature of management is viewed in three ways: as a Science, as an Art, and as a Profession.

As a Science: It relies on logic, experiments, and theories. It is called an inexact science because it deals with unpredictable human beings, not exact chemicals.

As an Art: It relies on a manager's creativity, personal skills, and judgment to solve real-world problems.

As both: Most modern thinkers agree that management is a mix of scientific knowledge and artistic application.

As a Profession: According to Edgar Schein's rules, it is becoming a true profession because it now requires formal education (B-schools), professional bodies (AIMS/AIMA), and strict ethical codes.