Management as Science,Art and Profession

Management can be seen from various viewpoints and defined in a variety of ways. Specific qualities of management indicate that it is, in many ways, a science, art and a profession. We shall discuss all three points to determine the exact meaning and comprehend this in-depth. To understand the core character of management, it must be examined from several perspectives. Management must also be understood in terms of administration and as a profession.

Characteristics of Management

• Management is interdisciplinary.
• Management is a dynamic process that is always changing.
• Management is both a science and an art.
• Management is a wide and continuous procedure
• Management is a goal-oriented and social procedure.

Is Management a Science, Art or Profession?

Management belongs to more than one of these categories. It is interdisciplinary in nature and has many angles.  

Management as a Science

In general, science is a systematic and structured body of information based on practically  observed discoveries, facts, and events. There are factual principles in science that can be confirmed and used to construct cause and effect relationships. Science and management can be compared on the basis of the following features:

1. Principles are founded on repeated experiments: 

Before formulating scientific principles for communication, scientists conduct repeated tests in various settings and locations. Managers also test and try managerial principles under varied settings in different organisations. Experimentation is a feature that both management and science share. 

2. Systematic body of knowledge: 

Effective and systematic study material exists and is employed to acquire knowledge in science. Similarly, there is systematic and structured study material in management. There is an academic body of knowledge from which the discipline derives its practices.

3. Universal Applicability:

Scientific principles are widely accepted and universally applied after all observations and experiments, with the same validity across the board. Management concepts, unlike scientific principles, are not universally applicable since they must be tailored to fit specific circumstances. 

4. Scientific principles are derived from logical and scientific observations:

Scientists conduct logical observations before passing any principle or theory. Because outcomes cannot be half-truths, one of the most crucial components of these observations is maximum objectivity. Managers, too, observe this practice, but theirs is an observation of people, which can never be perfectly logical or objective. Therefore, while observation forms a crucial aspect in management, behavioural and psychological subjectivities are also studied.

5. Possibility of similarity:

It is highly conceivable for two scientists to do the same study separately, analyse the same information under the same conditions and come up with the same result. On the other hand, managers are required to perform research on humans as experiments. So, if two managers investigate the same data on separate groups of people, they will not receive similar results because people never respond similarly. 

Management as Art

Art is a fascinating subject since it is defined in various ways. It can be considered as a process as well as a body of information that, to achieve excellence, necessitates talent, creativity, and practice. Some of these traits of art are particularly common in art and management. 

1. Personalised application: 

No amount of theoretical knowledge of art, no matter how much money is spent on it, will ever be enough to meet the sector’s demands. Art is 80% practical, and every creator must have individual skill and imagination to put knowledge into practice. The same holds true for management. 

2. Based on practice and creativity: 

The best way for an artist to improve or reach excellence is to practise regularly. Creative practice requires an artist to apply their imagination to the theoretical aspects they have acquired. Managers with more experience increase their managerial skills and capabilities in the same way. 

3. Theoretical knowledge:

Art has several definitions, but it also takes many forms, each of which has systematic and organised study material. This helps acquire theoretical knowledge of art which is also a crucial factor. Similarly, an extensive body of information assists in studying management.

Management as Profession

A profession, by definition, is a limited-entry occupation supporting specific expertise and training of public workers.

1. A well-defined body of knowledge:

 Every profession has a structured body of knowledge that assists professionals in gaining specialised knowledge in that field. There is also a structured body of information available in management. 

2. Professional associations: 

Special associations have been formed for each profession, and each professional must register with their organisation before practising the profession as is the case in management.

3. Service Motive:

Every profession’s primary goal is to provide dedicated service to its clients. The primary goal of management is to achieve the management goal.

Conclusion

Both scientific and artistic elements are present in management. This is not a contradiction in terminology because art and science are complementary rather than opposing. Management is also a profession.