2. The objective:
What is management? is to provide basic understanding on the
following key features of management:
> Management is a collaborative work.
> Management is a process wherein all managers engage in certain
interrelated activities in order to achieve the desired goals.
> It uses all resources of the organization, both physical and human.
> It aims at achieving the organization’s goals.
> Management has the features of a science, an art and a profession.
> Primary functions of the management are planning, organizing, staffing and
controlling.
> The normal structure of the management is in a pyramid shape with three
levels.
3. The word
Management
The verb manage comes from the Italian maneggiare (to handle —
especially a horse), which in turn derives from the Latin manus
(hand). The French word mesnagement (later
ménagement) influenced the development in meaning of the
English word management in the 17th and 18th centuries.
4. Definition of
Management
There is no universally accepted single definition for Management.
Management means many things to many people.
One of the simple definitions of management by Mary Parker
Follet will be a good start for our study. She called management as
"the art of getting things done through people".
5. Definition of
Management
The most appropriate definition of management is: "Management
in simple terms means the act of getting people together to
accomplish desired goals. Management comprises planning,
organizing, resourcing, leading or directing, and controlling an
organization (a group of one or more people or entities) or effort
for the purpose of accomplishing a goal.
Resourcing encompasses the deployment and manipulation of
human resources, financial resources, technological resources, and
natural resources".
6. Process of
Management
For realizing its declared objectives every organization, whether
business or non-business, receives certain inputs from the external
environment, process them and delivery outputs. The outputs in
turn goes to the external environment, and the external
environment continues to supply the inputs.
Therefore the whole process of managing is related to this chain of
events.
7. Process of
Management
TRANSFORMATION
INPUTS PROCESS OUTPUTS
EXTERNAL
ENVIRONMENT
The diagram of the Input-Output Model
8. Process of
Management
From the diagram, a process uses inputs to generate outputs. Therefore we can
say that a process is an integrated set of activities that uses resources to
transform inputs into outputs.
A system exists whenever several processes are interconnected using such
input-output relationships. Processes are interconnected because the output
from one process becomes the input for another process.
Therefore the process of management is facilitating, regulating and improving
a network of processes for planned outputs from planned inputs. The process
is made up of people, work, activities, tasks, records, documents, forms,
resources, rules, regulations, reports, materials, supplies, tools, equipment etc.
These are all the things needed to transform inputs into outputs.
9. Nature of
Management
Management has the features of a Science, an Art and a Profession.
Management as a science…
Management is a near-Science branch of knowledge because it is
systematic and principles are being evolved on the basis of
constant enquiry and experimentation. In the formulation of
principles the science of management can be developed.
A management principle distils & organizes knowledge that has
been built up through experience & analysis. Management is not
likely to become an exact science as personal judgment will always
be needed to supplement available knowledge but, by
understanding & applying accepted principles can be greatly
improved.
10. Nature of
Management
Management as an art…
Management is an Art because it deals with the ways of doing
things in a perfect way with organized knowledge and skills.
Therefore, as a practice, management will always be an art.
11. Nature of
Management
Management as a profession…
The study of management is chiefly aimed at developing skills to
manage a business or organization. It also brings social
responsibilities and a fees for the service. Based on these qualities,
we can call it a profession, but it is not a profession by all means.
12. Nature of
Management
Three major specifications for a profession are:
> There must exist a body of principles, skills & techniques and
specialized knowledge.
> There must be formal methods of acquiring training &
experience.
> An organization should be established which forms ethical codes
for the guidance & conduct of members.
13. Nature of
Management
When we consider the above standards, management cannot really
be called a profession. Because, there are no licenses for managers,
nor is there an accepted code of ethics, but there are movements
towards professionalization and in many countries apex bodies for
management have been established.
Therefore, we can say, professionalization of management is in
progress.