Management as an Art, Science, and Profession

Management as an Art

The main elements of art are —

• Personal Skills
• Practical know-how
• Application of knowledge
• Result orientation
• Creativity
• Constant practice aimed at perfection

Management is basically an art because of the following reasons —

• A manager applies his knowledge and skills to coordinate the efforts of his people
• Mgt seeks to achieve concrete practical results
• Mgt is creative. It brings out new situation and converts into output
• Effective Management lead to realization of Organizational and other goals.
• Mastery in Management requires a sufficiently long period of experience in, managing.

Management as Science

The essential elements of Science

• Systematised body of Knowledge
• Underlying principles and theories developed through continuous observation, inquiry,  experimentation and research.
• Universal truth and applicability.
• Organised body of knowledge can be taught and learnt in class room and outside.
• Mgt is a social science. It contains all the essentials of science. It is an inexact science.
• PERT, CPM, Cost MC, Finance, MB O etc

Thus, the theory (Science) and practice (art) of Mgt go side by side for the efficient functioning of an organization.

Management as a Profession

The essential attribute of a profession

• A well-defined and organised body of knowledge
• Learning and Experience
• Entry restricted by qualification
• Recognised national body
• Ethical code of conduct
• Dominance of service motive

Management is not a full-fledged profession now due to the following shortcomings.

• Skills not fully developed
• No uniform method of entry and Objective is monetary rather than service.
• Ethical code is not strict
• Associations are not statutory bodies

But in India, it is developing into a profession and it will be achieved in due course.