What Is Management?

 

What Is Management?

Management is a universal phenomenon. In the modern age, management occupies an important place in each area so, the present time is called the ‘Age of management.’ Management plays an important role in the field of business and industry. In the ordinary sense, management means an art with the help of which work is got done by the workers employed in the venture. Any human activity cannot be completed without the application of management theories whether it is in a school, club, temple, hospital or bank, business, or factory.

Management is the most important subject because it is related to the determination of objectives and their achievements.

According to George R. Terry, Management is the most comprehensive, most demanding, most crucial, and most subtle of all human activities.

Peter F. Ducker has mentioned that Management is the dynamic life-giving element in every business. Without his leadership, the resources of production remain resources and never becomes production.

Some of the important definitions in respect of management are given below-

“Management is the guidance, leadership, and control of the efforts of a group of persons for a common object.”                                                                                                    -William H. Newman

“Management is the planning process of the working of an industry.”

                                                                                            - Breach

“Management is the only way of deciding and controlling human activities to achieve particular objectives.”                                                                                                                   - Stanley Vans

“In a broad sense, management is an art with the economic laws applied in an industry for the control of human beings and material are brought in an experiment."          - Kimball                                                                      

Based on the above definitions, a simple and complete definition of management can be given as under-

“Management means an art with an object can be achieved with minimum resources efficiently by adjustment, control, coordination and encouragement of personnel engaged in a trading enterprise.”

Characteristics Of Management

Management is a process: Management is an important process the principal elements of which are planning, implementing, and control. The process continues till the objectives set by the administration are achieved. Those who perform this process are technically known as ‘Managers’.

Management is both science and art: Management is both science and art, because the subject is studied in serial order, and problems are considered for a solution. As a science, it narrates several important laws. The real position in the field of management can be explained with their help. Ideals and aims can be determined. Under the art of management are included systems, policies, and techniques to achieve the pre-determined goals.

Management as a profession: Nowadays management is taking rapidly a shape of a profession. Business management has been adopted by persons as a profession in developed countries like America, Germany, Britain, and France. At present special knowledge is essential for efficient management in India like in other countries. Several institutions have been started to impart management training. Therefore, management is now considered a profession.

Management as mobile process: Management is not only ordering, organization, direction, coordination, and control, but it is a mobile process. It involves continuous thinking, analysis, and decision-making. The manager himself determines the path according to the circumstances and marches onwards.

Management is a collective effort: Management always gives importance to collective efforts. The objects of an organization can be easily obtained by a group rather than a man.

Management Process

Management is an activity consisting of a distinct process- the management process- which is primarily concerned with the important task of goal achievement. Every business enterprise has certain pre-determined objectives. Just as in a football team, howsoever, expert the players might be, they cannot defeat the rival team until and unless they make an integrated effort under the direction of an able Caption. Similarly, no business enterprise can achieve its objective until and unless all the members of the unit make an integrated and planned effort under the direction of a central co-coordinating agency. In management terminology, this central co-ordinating agency is technically known as what we call M-A-N-A-G-E-M-E-N-T and the methodology of getting things done is known as the ‘Management Process’.

The process, in general, is defined as a series of actions or operations conducted to an end. The logic of the management process is that particular functions are performed in a sequence through time. In other words, whatever functions are performed by a manager and the sequence in which they are performed, is designated as a ‘Management Process’.

Conclusion

Management only can meet the challenge of change. In recent years the challenge of change has become intense and critical. The complexities of modern business can be overcome only by scientific management. Development of resources. Good management produces good business by creating a vital, dynamic, and life-giving force in the organization. Management directs the organization. Just as the mind directs and controls the body to fulfill its desires, management directs and controls the organization to achieve the desired goal.

Written by Aditi Singh