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Why Management Is A Science and An Art

Management is both an art and a science. As a science, management involves gathering and analyzing data to systematically solve problems using concepts, principles, theories, and organized knowledge. However, managing people requires creativity, personal skills, and adapting to different situations like an art. To be truly effective, managers must master both the science of managing processes as well as the art of leading people.

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284 views

Why Management Is A Science and An Art

Management is both an art and a science. As a science, management involves gathering and analyzing data to systematically solve problems using concepts, principles, theories, and organized knowledge. However, managing people requires creativity, personal skills, and adapting to different situations like an art. To be truly effective, managers must master both the science of managing processes as well as the art of leading people.

Uploaded by

kitna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Why Management is a Science and an Art?

Management is considered as art and science. The art of managing


begins where Science of managing stops to make management complete.

Like any other practice-whether engineering, accountancy, law or medicine;


Management is an art. The artistic application of management know-how is
evident.

It is understood that managing is doing things artistically in light of the


realities of a situation.

But a modern manager can do better by using the knowledge, methods,


concepts, theories, etc. of managing at his/her workplace.

This knowledge, methods, concepts, theories related to managing can be


treated as a science. It raises the question is management is an art or science
or both.
How Management is an Art
To manage effectively, one must have not only the necessary abilities to lead
but also a set of critical skills acquired through time, experience, and practice.

The art of managing is a personal creative attribute of the manager, which is


more often than not, enriched by education, training, experience.

The art of managing involves the conception of a vision of an orderly whole


created from chaotic parts and the communication and achievement of this
vision.

Managing is the “art of arts” because it organizes and uses human talent.

Elements of art in management

 Practical Knowledge,

 Personal Skill,

 Creativity,

 Perfection through practice,

 Goal-Oriented.

Practical Knowledge

Art requires practical knowledge, learning of theory is not sufficient. Art


applies theory to the field. Art teaches the practical application of theoretical
principles.

For example-Learning how sing does not make you a musician; one must
know all composition and be able to use them.
Similarly, A person may have a degree that says he knows what a manager
does but it doesn’t know how to apply management knowledge in real-life
situations he will not be regarded as manager.

Personal Skill

A manager will not depend on his theoretical knowledge or solution alone. he


or she must have some qualities that make him or her unique.

Creativity

An Artist’s work is not limited to his practical knowledge. He thinks outside the
box and creates things extraordinary.

Management is also creative like any other art. Management is all about
finding a new way to be well different from others.

Perfection through practice

Every artist becomes better through item and practice. they learn from their
mistakes. Similarly, managers become more expert as he spends more time in
management thought.

Goal-Oriented

Art is result-oriented. Management works are also a goal or result-


oriented. Management takes steps for the attainment of the goal.

How Management is a Science


Science is obtaining information about a particular object by a systematic
pattern of observation, study, practice, experiments, and investigation.

The management process also follows the same pattern. Gathering data and
facts, analyzing them and making a decision based on analysis, are the basic
functions of the management.
Management follows a systematic method to find a possible solution for a
problem. The science underlying managing is indeed inexact or a soft science
at best.

It is not as “Science” as physical sciences such as chemistry or biology which


deal with non-human entities.

The inclusion of the human element in managing makes this discipline not
only complex but also debatable as pure science.

Human behavior is unpredictable; people think, act or react differently under


identical circumstances.

And so, management can never become as pure science. However, the study
of the scientific foundations of management practice can improve
one’s management skills.

Managers who attempt to manage without management science have to trust


their intuition or luck at their peril rather than their expertise or skill.

Thus, they have to turn for meaningful guidance to the accumulated


knowledge of managing.

Elements of Science in Managing

 Concepts

 Methods and principles

 Theories

 Organized knowledge

 Practice

Science presupposes the existence of organized knowledge.


The essence of science is the application of the scientific method to the
development of knowledge that proceeds through the stages discussed
below:

Concepts

The scientific approach requires a clear “concepts” of mental images of


anything formed by generalization from particulars. Managing has concepts to
deal with situations.

Methods and principles

“Scientific method” involves the determination of facts through observation.

This leads to the development of “principles” which have value in predicting


what will happen in similar circumstances. Similarly, management requires
observation and sets standards or principles according to it.

Theories

Any branch of science has theories. A ‘theory” is a systematic grouping of


interdependent concepts and principles that give a framework to, or ties
together, a significant area of knowledge.

Management studies over the years developed many proved theories for
making management more realistic or scientific.

Organized knowledge

Science is organized knowledge. If we compare, management at the present


day is a distinct field of organized knowledge.

Concepts, methods, principles, theories, etc. are now the core of management.

Practice
The theories of managing are the results of practice, and the role of such
theories is to provide a systematic grouping of interdependent concepts and
principles that furnish a framework to, or ties together significant pertinent
management knowledge.

The theories of motivation, leadership, and so on may be cited/mentioned as


examples.

But it is to be borne in mind that concepts, methods, principles of


management are not as rigid as those of the physical sciences. They may
undergo revision and change under new sociopolitical and economic
circumstances.

Management is a Science as well as Art


Science teaches us to know while art teaches us to do.

To be successful, managers have to know and do things effectively and


efficiently. This requires a unique combination of both science and art of
managing in them.

It may, however, be said that the art of managing begins where the science of
managing stops.

Since the science of managing is imperfect, the manager must turn to the
artistic managerial ability to perform a job satisfactorily.

Thus, it may be said that managing in practice is an art but the body of
knowledge, methods, principles, etc. underlying the practice is science.

Even some people might have a different opinion regarding this matter. But as
a matter of fact, the art and science of managing are not so much conflicting
as complementary.

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