Is Management an Art or a Science?
Points to remember before you participate in this discussion:
- Assume you are one of the members of a real group discussion.
- Take the initiative to participate and contribute your thoughts.
- Contribute your positive thoughts towards providing the solution.
- Post your thoughts here.
Discussion:
121 comments Page 1 of 13.
Deewan Love Kumar said:
1 decade ago
Hi Everybody,
I think,
Management is both an art and a science. It is considered as a science because it has an organized body of knowledge which contains certain universal truth. It is called an art because managing requires certain skills which are personal possessions of managers. Science provides the knowledge & art deals with the application of knowledge and skills.
A manager to be successful in his profession must acquire the knowledge of science & the art of applying it. Therefore management is a well-judged combination of science as well as an art because it proves the principles and the way these principles are applied is a matter of art. Science teaches to 'know' and art teaches to 'do'.
EG. A person cannot become a good singer unless he has knowledge about various ragas & he also applies his personal skill in the art of singing. Same way it is not sufficient for manager to first know the principles but he must also apply them in solving various managerial problems that is why, science and art are not mutually exclusive but they are complementary to each other (like tea and biscuit, bread and butter etc. ). To conclude, we can say that science is the root and art is the fruit.
I think,
Management is both an art and a science. It is considered as a science because it has an organized body of knowledge which contains certain universal truth. It is called an art because managing requires certain skills which are personal possessions of managers. Science provides the knowledge & art deals with the application of knowledge and skills.
A manager to be successful in his profession must acquire the knowledge of science & the art of applying it. Therefore management is a well-judged combination of science as well as an art because it proves the principles and the way these principles are applied is a matter of art. Science teaches to 'know' and art teaches to 'do'.
EG. A person cannot become a good singer unless he has knowledge about various ragas & he also applies his personal skill in the art of singing. Same way it is not sufficient for manager to first know the principles but he must also apply them in solving various managerial problems that is why, science and art are not mutually exclusive but they are complementary to each other (like tea and biscuit, bread and butter etc. ). To conclude, we can say that science is the root and art is the fruit.
(189)
Okpohwo Raymond said:
1 decade ago
Well, I'm really happy reading your comments.
As for me, before I go further to state management as an art or science or a combination of both, let's see the words 'SCIENCE' and 'ART'. A science can be referred to as knowledge about the structure and behaviour of the natural and physical world, based on facts that you can prove. This can be done through experiments. Hence, predictions can be made from such experiments. ART on the other hand can be seen as a skillful way of doing things.
Before trying to see management as an art or science, we must first of all consider it's functions which are planning, organising, controlling and leading.
Planning: This have to do with the setting of goals and objectives and how to achieve them. Therefore, it forces managers to decide in advance on what to achieve and how to achieve them (this also involve prediction which is science).
Leading: This involve influencing, inspiring, directing and motivating others to do their best to achieve goals (Art).
Organising: This have to do with the determination of work activities and roles, and grouping them into suitable divisions and departments with clear lines of authority and responsibility (Art).
Control: This is the measurement of corporate performance and the analysis and correction of deviations from the expected results (combination of art and science).
Management as an art deals with the application of skills in the process of getting things done through people and available resources. On the other hand, as a science it deals with making decisions and implementing them based on the gathering of past and present data, analysing them and the correlation of such data in order to predict future occurrence.
To buttress my point, in the modern world, the budgets of various countries and organisations are made through the use of existing data which is one of the duties attached to management. Hence, in budgeting, prediction are made from past and present information which can be attributed to science.
Also, all over the world, we have laboratories that are specially designed to study the behavior, attitudes and the way of life of people in order to suggest the best ways of leading, controlling and relating with them in order to achieve desired goals from them.
Not only that, future productions and sales are also forecasted which are all related to science. Certain decisions are made through the use of statistical tools like the chi-square, regression equations, partial correlation, Mann-Whitney test and so on which are also known all over the world as scientific tools.
Hence from the above, I believe it is clear that management is a two sided coin with both science and art.
As for me, before I go further to state management as an art or science or a combination of both, let's see the words 'SCIENCE' and 'ART'. A science can be referred to as knowledge about the structure and behaviour of the natural and physical world, based on facts that you can prove. This can be done through experiments. Hence, predictions can be made from such experiments. ART on the other hand can be seen as a skillful way of doing things.
Before trying to see management as an art or science, we must first of all consider it's functions which are planning, organising, controlling and leading.
Planning: This have to do with the setting of goals and objectives and how to achieve them. Therefore, it forces managers to decide in advance on what to achieve and how to achieve them (this also involve prediction which is science).
Leading: This involve influencing, inspiring, directing and motivating others to do their best to achieve goals (Art).
Organising: This have to do with the determination of work activities and roles, and grouping them into suitable divisions and departments with clear lines of authority and responsibility (Art).
Control: This is the measurement of corporate performance and the analysis and correction of deviations from the expected results (combination of art and science).
Management as an art deals with the application of skills in the process of getting things done through people and available resources. On the other hand, as a science it deals with making decisions and implementing them based on the gathering of past and present data, analysing them and the correlation of such data in order to predict future occurrence.
To buttress my point, in the modern world, the budgets of various countries and organisations are made through the use of existing data which is one of the duties attached to management. Hence, in budgeting, prediction are made from past and present information which can be attributed to science.
Also, all over the world, we have laboratories that are specially designed to study the behavior, attitudes and the way of life of people in order to suggest the best ways of leading, controlling and relating with them in order to achieve desired goals from them.
Not only that, future productions and sales are also forecasted which are all related to science. Certain decisions are made through the use of statistical tools like the chi-square, regression equations, partial correlation, Mann-Whitney test and so on which are also known all over the world as scientific tools.
Hence from the above, I believe it is clear that management is a two sided coin with both science and art.
(156)
Siddharth jain said:
6 years ago
Good noon guys.
Management is an art as well as science because before so many years a long debate run between great scientists for clear that management is science or arts but after all, it defines that management is art as well as science for following points.
1. In science, we gain knowledge and that knowledge we put in practice to complete work call art as well as in management, first of all, we decide what to do how to do when to do and put that decision into practice form so we can say that management is both art and science.
2. Science has universal formulas and definition which also similar in management.
3. Art has practice knowledge to do work which also similar in management.
So we can say that management is both art and science.
If you like my thoughts please like my first post.
Management is an art as well as science because before so many years a long debate run between great scientists for clear that management is science or arts but after all, it defines that management is art as well as science for following points.
1. In science, we gain knowledge and that knowledge we put in practice to complete work call art as well as in management, first of all, we decide what to do how to do when to do and put that decision into practice form so we can say that management is both art and science.
2. Science has universal formulas and definition which also similar in management.
3. Art has practice knowledge to do work which also similar in management.
So we can say that management is both art and science.
If you like my thoughts please like my first post.
(133)
Mozo said:
1 decade ago
Management is the oldest of arts and the youngest of sciences. This explains the changing nature of management.
As a science,
1. Management is a systematized body of knowledge and its principles have evolved on the basis of observation.
2. The kind of experimentation (as in natural sciences) cannot be accompanied in the area of management since management deals with the human element.
3. In management, it is not possible to define, analyse and measure phenomena by repeating the same conditions over and over again to obtain a proof.
As an Art, management has the following characteristics,
1. Management while performing the activities of getting things done by others is required to apply the knowledge of certain underlying principles which are necessary for every art.
2. Management gets perfection in the art of managing only through continuous practice.
3. Management implies capacity to apply accurately the knowledge to solve the problems, to face the situation and to realize the objectives fully and timely.
The science of management provides certain general principles which can guide the managers in their professional effort. The art of management consists in tackling every situation in an effective manner.
As a science,
1. Management is a systematized body of knowledge and its principles have evolved on the basis of observation.
2. The kind of experimentation (as in natural sciences) cannot be accompanied in the area of management since management deals with the human element.
3. In management, it is not possible to define, analyse and measure phenomena by repeating the same conditions over and over again to obtain a proof.
As an Art, management has the following characteristics,
1. Management while performing the activities of getting things done by others is required to apply the knowledge of certain underlying principles which are necessary for every art.
2. Management gets perfection in the art of managing only through continuous practice.
3. Management implies capacity to apply accurately the knowledge to solve the problems, to face the situation and to realize the objectives fully and timely.
The science of management provides certain general principles which can guide the managers in their professional effort. The art of management consists in tackling every situation in an effective manner.
(80)
Sanish sapkota said:
1 decade ago
Management is both art and science. It contains the features of both aspects.
As a science, management contains certain universal truth and principles that are applied in managing people in whole world. It's principle are same wherever in the world, difference is only on it's application. As an art, management requires certain skills in managing people which are personal possessions of managing person. In short, science teaches the 'process' and art teaches to 'apply them'. So, management is a judicious mixture of scientific and artistic approaches.
As a science, management contains certain universal truth and principles that are applied in managing people in whole world. It's principle are same wherever in the world, difference is only on it's application. As an art, management requires certain skills in managing people which are personal possessions of managing person. In short, science teaches the 'process' and art teaches to 'apply them'. So, management is a judicious mixture of scientific and artistic approaches.
(75)
Lucky said:
8 years ago
Hi.
According to my view, Management is both arts as well as science. Science refers to theoretical knowledge of rules and principles whereas art refers to application of acquired knowledge. Management is, therefore, application of knowledge with its roots in science. They are not exclusive but are complementary to each other. For example, a person cannot sing well unless he has knowledge about various ragas & his personal skill of singing. Likewise, management is also a perfect blend of science & art.
According to my view, Management is both arts as well as science. Science refers to theoretical knowledge of rules and principles whereas art refers to application of acquired knowledge. Management is, therefore, application of knowledge with its roots in science. They are not exclusive but are complementary to each other. For example, a person cannot sing well unless he has knowledge about various ragas & his personal skill of singing. Likewise, management is also a perfect blend of science & art.
(69)
Nwinanghi kaanayira said:
10 years ago
Hi friends.
In my point of view, management is both art and science, because art requires knowledge, skills and creativity. And science uses theories, principles, mathematical modeling and statistical data.
In my point of view, management is both art and science, because art requires knowledge, skills and creativity. And science uses theories, principles, mathematical modeling and statistical data.
(59)
Vijay M said:
9 years ago
Management is both an art and a science. The above-mentioned points clearly reveal that management combines features of both sciences as well as art. It is considered as a science because it has an organized body of knowledge which contains certain universal truth. It is called an art because managing requires certain skills which are personal possessions of managers. Science provides the knowledge & art deals with the application of knowledge and skills.
A manager to be successful in his profession must acquire the knowledge of science & the art of applying it. Therefore management is a judicious blend of science as well as an art because it proves the principles and the way these principles are applied is a matter of art. Science teachers to 'know' and art teachers to 'do'.
E. G. A person cannot become a good singer unless he has knowledge about various ragas & he also applies his personal skill in the art of singing. Same way it is not sufficient for the manager to first know the principles but he must also apply them in solving various managerial problems that are why, science and art are not mutually exclusive but they are complementary to each other (like tea and biscuit, bread and butter etc.).
A manager to be successful in his profession must acquire the knowledge of science & the art of applying it. Therefore management is a judicious blend of science as well as an art because it proves the principles and the way these principles are applied is a matter of art. Science teachers to 'know' and art teachers to 'do'.
E. G. A person cannot become a good singer unless he has knowledge about various ragas & he also applies his personal skill in the art of singing. Same way it is not sufficient for the manager to first know the principles but he must also apply them in solving various managerial problems that are why, science and art are not mutually exclusive but they are complementary to each other (like tea and biscuit, bread and butter etc.).
(56)
Aminur Rahman said:
1 decade ago
I think management is the combination of science and arts. Management is science, because managers make decision from a observation, statistics etc. On the other hand, management is arts, because it is relying heavily on conceptual, communication, interpersonal, and time management skill.
(50)
Pranjali Ghagre said:
1 decade ago
I think management is art and science both. How smartly we manage any work is art and the knowledge required to do that work smartly is science.
(48)
Post your thoughts here:
Quick links
Quantitative Aptitude
Verbal (English)
Reasoning
Programming
Interview
Placement Papers