Question

Management is considered to be both an art and science. Explain.

Answer 1

Art is the skillful and personal application of existing knowledge to achieve desired goals. Management is said to be an art since, it satisfies the following features of an art:

(i) Manager practices the art of management in day-to-day job of managing and enterprise on the basis of study, observation and experience.

(ii) Because of the availability of the theoretical knowledge of management, a manager is able to apply it in a personalised manner.

(iii) Art requires creativity, similarly manager also requires creativity to apply the acquired knowledge in a personalised and skillful manner in real situations.

Management as a Science Science: is the systematised body of knowledge which establishes the relationship between causes and their effects.
Management is regarded as a science because of the following features of the management:

(i) Existence of systematic body of knowledge: Like science, management has its own theory and principles that have developed over a period of time. Thus, we can say, management has a systematised body of knowledge.
(ii) Scientific methods of observation: Certain management principles are evolved from scientific methods of observation. The cause and effect relationship is the art of science but it is applicable in management also. Therefore, management principles are accurate and reliable.
(iii) Universally accepted principles: Certain management principles are universally valid. The established principles of modern management have universal applicability. Principle of division of labour and specialisation, unity of command, etc are accepted everywhere.