MANAGEMENT: A SCIENCE OR AN ART

The controversy, whether the management is a science or an art is very old which still exists. According to J. Paul Getty, ''Management cannot be systematized, or practiced according to a formula. It is an art, even a creative art''. Others disagree. It is said that. ''The management is the oldest of arts and the youngest of sciences ''. thus, the true nature of management will be clear after analyzing whether management is a science or an art.


Management as a Science

Science id a systematized body of knowledge gathered by observation and experiment, which is capable of verification. The essential features of science are as follows:

1. Principles are universally applicable.
2. Developed through scientific inquiry or experiments.
3. Established cause-and-effects relationships between various factors.
4. Their validity can be verified and predictable.

Management does satisfy the basic features of science. Management contains a systematized body of knowledge in the form of general principles, which can be universally applied. These principles are also based on scientific inquiry and investigation. They have been developed through experiments and practical experiences. The principles of management also establish cause and effect relationship between different variables. They can also be tested for their validity. moreover, the future events can be predicted with reasonable accuracy by using scientific principles.

Thus, management is undoubtedly a science. However, it is not an exact science as physics, chemistry and other physical sciences. this is because management deals with people and it is very difficult to predict accurately the behavior of human beings. Hence, management is behavior science. It is an inter-disciplinary science that has been developed with the aid of other disciplinary such as economics, mathematics, statistics, psychology, sociology, etc. That is why management is social science.


Management as an Art

Art means application of knowledge and skills to bring about the desired results. Management is one of the most 'creative art' as it requires a vast knowledge and certain innovating, initiating, implementing, and integrating skills in relation to goods, resources, techniques, and results. The function of an art is to accomplish goals by deliberate efforts. The essential elements of art are:

1. Practical knowledge
2. Personal skill
3. Result-oriented approach
4. Creativity
5. Improvement through continuous practice


Management satisfies also the basic features of art. An artist must not only learn the theory but also its application in practice. Similarly, a person cannot become a successful manager simply by reading theory and getting a degree in management. He must also learn to apply his knowledge in solving managerial problems. Every manager has his individual approach and style in solving managerial problems. It requires certain knowledge and skills to achieve desired results. A manager uses man, money, materials and machinery to promote the growth of his organization.

A manager is an artist because he applies the knowledge gained from the study of science of management for managing human and material resources. A person cannot be called a manager if he does not have the skills to apply the knowledge of management.

Thus, management is both a science and an art. It is considered a science because it has an organized body of knowledge, which contains certain universal truths. It is also called an art because managing requires certain skills, which are the personal possession of the managers. Science teaches us to know and art to do certain things by application of knowledge and skills. Every manager has to know and do things efficiently and effectively to be successful. Thus, a manager should be an applied scientist. He should possess not only specialized knowledge of management,but also the skill to put his knowledge into practice. Hence science and art are complimentary to each other. Art without science has no guide and science without art is knowledge wasted.

A successful manager must know the principles of management and also acquire the skill of applying those principles of solving managerial problems in different situations. Hence, science (theory) and art (practical) are both essential for success in management.