Management as science, art and profession

The essentials

There is a long debate about the nature of management. It is compared with a science, an art and a profession. It has some features of each, but it does not fully meet all the features of any one of them in the strict sense.

Key points

• Science: a systematic body of knowledge, principles based on experimentation, and universal validity. Management has a systematic body of knowledge and principles developed through observation, but because it deals with human behaviour, its principles are not exact. So management is an inexact science or a soft science.
• Art: existence of theoretical knowledge, personalised application, and practice and creativity. Management fully satisfies these features, because every manager applies knowledge in a personal, creative way. So management is an art.
• Profession: well-defined body of knowledge, restricted entry (through an examination or degree), a professional association, an ethical code of conduct, and a service motive. Management has a defined body of knowledge, and bodies such as the All India Management Association exist, but there is no restriction on entry, membership of an association is not compulsory, there is no binding code of conduct, and the main motive is profit rather than service. So management is not a full-fledged profession.

Exam tips

• Expect a case where a manager handles a situation in his own creative way; this shows management as an art (personalised application).
• Remember that the feature of a profession which management clearly satisfies is a well-defined body of knowledge.

Common mistakes

• Saying management is a pure science. Its principles are flexible and their results vary because people behave differently.
• Assuming an MBA is legally required to become a manager. Anyone can be appointed a manager; there is no restricted entry.