Management is an Art

Art consists different components like knowledge and skill that are applied to achive some specific goals. The skills should be practiced regularly by the artist. Management also consists different components that are reelected top art. Therefore it is also regarded as an art Marry Porker Follet has defined, "Management as an art of getting things done through other people, Management consists following things components of art: i) ii) iii) iv) v) Knowledge, skills and creativity of person. Applied in practices. Regularity Result oriented Improvement through continuous practice. Management is essentially an art because of the following reasons: (a) The process of management involves the use of knowledge and skills. Every manager has to apply certain knowhow and skills while dealing with people. (b) Management seeks to achieve concrete practical results, e.g., profits, service, etc. According to Prof. John F. Mee, "management is the art of securing maximum results with a minimum of effort so as to secure maximum prosperity and happiness for both employer and employee and give the public best possible service." (c) Like any other art, management is creative. It brings out new situations and makes resources productive. In fact, management is one" of the most creative arts because it requires molding and welding the attitudes and behavior of people at work for the accomplishment of specific goals in a changing environment. It is the art of securing desired response from people. Management makes things happen. (d) Like any other art, management is a personalized process. Every manager has his own approach and technique depending upon his perception and the environmental conditions. (e) As an art, management requires judgment and skills. The art of management can be refined with continuous practice of management theories and principles. The art of management is as old as human civilization. The importance of management art has increased with rapid growth in the number size and complexity of organizations.

Management as a science
Science is a systematic body of knowledge developed by research, experiences, experiments, observation etc. science is valued and verifiable. According to J.M. Keynes, Science can be defined as a systematized body of knowledge which established the relationship between cause and effect. Management can also be considered as a science because it alswoconsists fundamental characters or feature of science. Followings are a major components of management, such component prove management asa acience. I) II) III) IV) V) Systematized body of knowledge Continuous application and saobservation Universal application Cause and effect relationship Validity and verifiable.

Management is a science because it contains all the characteristics of science. Firstly, there is a systematized body of knowledge in management. Principles are now available in every function of management and these principles help to improve managerial effectiveness. For instance, there are a number of principles which serve as guidelines for delegating authority and thereby designing an effective organization structure. Similarly, there are several techniques (ways of doing things) in the field of management. Budgeting, cost accounting, ratio analysis, rate of return on investment, critical path method (CPM), programme evaluation and review technique (PERT) are some of these techniques which facilitate better management. Secondly, principles of management have been developed through continuous observations and empirical verification. Thirdly, management principles are capable of universal application.

Management as both Science and Art

Management is both an art and a science. The above mentioned points clearly reveals that management combines features of both science 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 teaches to know and art teaches 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 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.). The old saying that Manager are Born has been rejected in favor of Managers are Made. It has been aptly remarked that management is the oldest of art and youngest of science. To conclude, we can say that science is the root and art is the fruit.

Management as a profession
Management is also regarded as a profession because the concept and component of the activities behavior and nature of professionals. According to A.S. Hornby, Profession can be defined as an occupation specially required advance education and special training. Followings component are included in profession. i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) Formal and advance education Body of Systematized knowledge. Formation of professional association. Service oriented or priority to service. Code of conduct or ethics. Discipline

A profession may be defined as an occupation that requires specialized knowledge and intensive academic preparations to which entry is regulated by a representative body. The essentials of a profession are: 1. Specialized Knowledge - A profession must have a systematic body of knowledge that can be used for development of professionals. Every professional must make deliberate efforts to acquire expertise in the principles and techniques. Similarly a manager must have devotion and involvement to acquire expertise in the science of management. 2. Formal Education & Training - There are no. of institutes and universities to impart education & training for a profession. No one can practice a profession without going through a prescribed course. Many institutes of management have been set up for imparting education and training. For example, a CA cannot audit the A/Cs unless he has acquired a degree or diploma for the same but no minimum qualifications and a course of study has been prescribed for managers by law. For example, MBA may be preferred but not necessary.

3. Social Obligations - Profession is a source of livelihood but professionals are primarily motivated by the desire to serve the society. Their actions are influenced by social norms and values. Similarly a manager is responsible not only to its owners but also to the society and therefore he is expected to provide quality goods at reasonable prices to the society. 4. Code of Conduct - Members of a profession have to abide by a code of conduct which contains certain rules and regulations, norms of honesty, integrity and special ethics. A code of conduct is enforced by a representative association to ensure self discipline among its members. Any member violating the code of conduct can be punished and his membership can be withdrawn. The AIMA has prescribed a code of conduct for managers but it has no right to take legal action against any manager who violates it. 5. Representative Association - For the regulation of profession, existance of a representative body is a must. For example, an institute of Charted Accountants of India establishes and administers standards of competence for the auditors but the AIMA however does not have any statuary powers to regulate the activities of managers.

References :
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*Management and Organizations", Vol. 3, by Mary Follett, L. Urwick (Editor); Publisher: Taylor & Francis, Inc. November 2003. 5. Hornby, Albert Sydney (18981978), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004

6. Business organization and management by M.C. SHUKLA & S. CHAND 7. http://www.indiabix.com/group-discussion/is-management-an-art-or-ascience/(accessed on 5/1/2013)