Question

Explain the following characteristics of management: (i) Management is a group activity (ii) Management is a dynamic function (iii) Management is…

Accepted Answer

(a) (i) Management is a group activity An organisation is a collection of diverse individuals with different needs. Every member of the group has a different purpose for joining the organisation but as members of the organisation they work towards fulfilling the common organisational goal. This requires team work and coordination of individual effort in a common direction. At the same time management should enable all its members to grow and develop as needs and opportunities change. (ii) Management is a dynamic function Management is a dynamic function and has to adapt itself to the changing environment. An organisation interacts with its external environment which consists of various social, economic and political factors. In order to be successful, an organisation must change itself and its goals according to the needs of the environment. (iii) Management is multidimensional Management is a complex activity that has three main dimensions: Management of work: All organisations exist for the performance of some work. Management translates this work in terms of goals to be achieved and assigns the means to achieve it. Management of people: Managing people involves: (i) dealing with employees as individuals with diverse needs and behavior; (ii) dealing with individuals as a group of people. Management of operations: All organisations, in order to survive, provide a product or a service. This requires a production process which entails the flow of input material and the technology for transforming this input into the desired output for consumption. It is interlinked with both management of work and management of people. OR (b) Explain the following as nature of principles of management: (i) Formed by Practice and Experience (ii) Contingent (iii) Cause and Effect Relationship (i) Formed by Practice and Experience § The principles of management are formed by experience and collective wisdom of managers as well as experimentation. § For example, it is a matter of common experience that discipline is indispensable for accomplishing any purpose. This principle finds mention in management theory. On the other hand, in order to remedy the problem of fatigue of workers in the factory, an experiment may be conducted to see the effect of improvement of physical conditions to reduce stress. (The explanation may be supported by example of any other principle or technique of management) (ii) Contingent § The application of principles of management is contingent or dependent upon the prevailing situation at a particular point of time. § The application of principles has to be changed as per requirements. (iii) Cause and effect relationship § The principles of management establish cause and effect relationship so that they can be used in similar situations in a large number of cases. § The principles tell us if a particular principle was applied in a particular situation, what would be its likely effect.

Explain the following characteristics of management :
(i)
Management is a group activity
(ii)
Management is a dynamic function
(iii)
Management is multidimensional

Marking-scheme solution

More from Nature and Significance of Management