In this article, I will explain the (i) Nature of Management, (ii) Features of management, and (iii) Characteristics of management…
Nature of Management
The nature of management notes includes or categorized into three various points such as:-
(i) Management as a Science.
(ii) Management as an Art.
(iii) Management: Both Science and Art.
Some writers say management as a science because they include well tested and experimental principles of management, some writers say management as an art because more practice evaluation is necessary for the management and some writers consider that management is the path of the profession. So, that is the reason, the management categorized and explaining into three categorized such as:-
(i) Management as a Science:
Science refers to the systematic and organized body of knowledge based on different logical findings, facts, and observations. It includes various features or characteristics of science are:-
(a) Systematic body of knowledge:
In the aspect of science, the organized and systematic body of material is available which is used to analyze or acquire the knowledge related to science. So, in management, this first step plays a very important role because it helps to define the body of structure which is used to establish the cause and effect relationships. So this point of science is present or active in management.
(b) Logical and Scientific observations:
The scientists derived critical or logical observations before consulting any principle or theory. They follow the full object procedure while doing the observations. The management target to observe the behaviour of human beings and analyze into logical terms and conditions. So this point of science is not present or active in management.
(c) This is based on repeated experiments:
Before executing scientific principles, the scientist’s test these principles and evaluate under different conditions and places because if management wants to do better scientific experiments then it will have to do repeated experiments. Similarly, managers evaluate or test the principles under different conditions in different organizations. So this point of science is present or active in management.
(d) Universal validity:
Scientific principles have universal validity. Management principles are not matched like scientific principles to their application of experiments is not universal. They have to upgraded and modified according to the given situation or problem. So this point of science is not present or active in management.
(e) Replication is possible:
When two scientists are doing the same investigation working independently and evaluating the same manner of data under the same or exact conditions may desire or obtain the same or exact result, then, this case of study defines the science replication.
But in the field of management, managers have to conduct the same research on the topic of human beings. So if two managers are investigating or evaluating the same data, on different sets of human beings they will not get an exact or perfect result because of human beings never respond in the identical or same manner. So this point of science is also not present or active in management.
(ii) Management as an Art:
Art will be defined as a systematic or organized body of knowledge which requires proper creativity, skills, and practice to get the achievement. The main features or characteristics of art are:-
(a) Systematic or Regular body of knowledge:
In every part of art, there is an organized or systematic body of knowledge study material available to acquire the main theoretical knowledge of the art. In the studies of management, there are various types of a systematic and organized body of knowledge are stored for the purpose of skills and creativity. So this feature or point of art is present or active in management also.
(b) Personalized application:
In the area of art, only theoretical knowledge is not enough because every artist or individual has their personal skills, talent, and creativity to apply that knowledge.
In management, all managers learn the same kind of practical theories or principles but their working efficiency depends on how well they use these kinds of principles under critical situations by applying personal skills, talent, attitude, and everything. So this point or feature of art is also active in management.
(c) Based on creativity and practice:
In the field of art, creativity and practice sessions are very effective to maintain the balance between management and their individuals. In this field, the artist applies its own skills and talent to gain something new and as well as helps to improve their managerial skills and efficiency. So this point or feature of art is also active in management.
(iii) Management: Both Science and Art:
Management is the combination of both science and art. Science refers to the systematic or organized body of knowledge and art requires personal skills, talents, attitudes, and creativity to apply this knowledge to gain something new. Both kinds of nature are required in every function of management.
Features / Characteristics of Management
The salient features of management are also known as characteristics of management. So, it includes various points such as:-
1. Management is Goal-Oriented:
This is the first characteristics of management and it means that the main aim of the management is to achieve the organizational objective. The functions and business activities help managers to lead the organizational objectives.
for example, If the aim of a company to sell 1000 laptops then the manager will execute the plan, prepare a course of action, motivate all the employees and organize all resources in a systematic manner to achieve the goal of 1000 laptops.
2. Pervasive in nature:
In this characteristic, management follows the activity of universal validity. They indicate the use of management is not restricted in business or organizational firms only, it is totally applicable in profit-making, non-profit-making, business or non-business organizations, even a school, hospital, and the house has to be managed properly.
Similarly, the concept of management is applicable or used in the whole world whether it is India, Russia, USA, Uk, and so on.
3. Management is Multidimensional:
Management is not restricted in a single activity or group. It includes three main activities such as:-
(a) Management of operations,
(b) Management of work,
(c) Management of people.
(a) Management of operations:
Operations indicate the activities of the production cycle such as buying inputs, conversion of semi-finished goods into finished goods. Management of operation helps to focus on the mixing management of work with the people of management like what and how work has to be done.
(b) Management of work:
All organization target to focus on their objective or task or goal. Through proper management, an organization can achieve its objectives because the task or activities depends upon the nature of its business such as work to be achieved in a college is providing education, in the industry to produces some products.
(c) Management of people:
People indicate human resources and human resources are the main assets of an organization. The business can win over a competitor with perfect or knowledgeable employees only because two businesses can have the same physical, natural, and technological resources but not human resources. They follow the two basic points:
(i) Taking care of individuals (employees or employers),
(ii) Taking care of a group of members.
4. Management is a continuous activity:
This is the fourth characteristics of management and it means that this is a continuous or never-ending process. All the functions of management are accomplished continuously like planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling, and coordinating are performed by all the executives at the same time. In management, managers focus on all levels of work in a continuous manner.
5. Management is a group activity:
In this characteristics of management, the managers are always focused on to build the group members. The management functions cannot be accomplished in isolation because each type of members performs his/her role at his/her status and their departments.
So, if management wants to manage all business activities then it will surely have to build a group activity or association.
So, these are the points of nature, features, and characteristics of management…