Management as Science

Before we discuss about Management as Science, you should know the definition of Science. It is an organized body of knowledge associated with a certain field of study which consists of basic facts that explains a phenomenon. It establishes cause and effect relationship. As a science, management consists of certain universal principles which are utilized for managing individuals in organizations throughout the whole world.  But management is not as specific as natural or physical sciences are. This phenomenon could be discussed as follows:

Management as Science or Not

1. Science could possibly be seen in terms of its structure, goals, and methods. When it comes to its structure, it is a number of scientific disciplines: physics, psychology, management, etc. Each one of these sciences tries to give a group of internally consistent hypotheses, principles, and theories dealing with a facet of total knowledge. To the extent a science is mature, this kind of internal consistency may be achieved but there are several young sciences as management which only approximate this state.
2. In science, observations have to be monitored so that causation can be imputed effectively. The typical approach to eliminate a particular factor as possible cause of an event is to keep it constant – to keep it from varying so that it cannot function as an origin of change. This rule is tough to follow, particularly in researching organisational phenomena. Different studies in management have struggled due to the bias of researchers. In a number of studies, a variable which was regarded as trivial was found to exert a casual influence. However, the time and effort to determine factors that must be controlled and to create procedures to achieve this is a continuing one. To the extent that this attempt is successful, reliability of perception and reasoning, and hence explanation, is realistic.
3. In science, observations have to be monitored so that causation can be imputed effectively. The typical approach to eliminate a particular factor as possible cause of an event is to keep it constant – to keep it from varying so that it cannot function as an origin of change. This rule is tough to follow, particularly in researching organisational phenomena. Different studies in management have struggled due to the bias of researchers. In a number of studies, a variable which was regarded as trivial was found to exert a casual influence. However, the time and effort to determine factors that must be controlled and to create procedures to achieve this is a continuing one. To the extent that this attempt is successful, reliability of perception and reasoning, and hence explanation, is realistic.
4. Theories in science are in terms which allow emperical confirmation. Scientific statements can be tested and the tests can be repeated with same outcome. In addition, explanatory statements are logically in line with other explanatory statements which have been commonly verified. Therefore, rationality of total scientific system is preserved. Having said that, this doesn’t take place in management exactly. A lot of the management principles don’t give identical results under different circumstances and, therefore, lack universal application. Undoubtedly, efforts are being made to develop principles in management according to scientific observations, which might have universal application, but still the procedure is in an evolutionary stage. Until this kind of principles are not developed, management cannot be termed as a science in its true sense.

Management is a science of dealing with individuals of diverse psychology, where you have to get the work done by the subordinate. You also have to respect each person having unique capability to perform certain duties. The factors evaluated above indicate that management is not a pure science however it can be basically referred to as inexact science because management also employs scientific methods in developing principles. For this reason, it has limited qualities of science. The truth is, a lot of people have proposed that with increased utilization of mathematics and statistics in management, the direction is towards more and more use of true science in management. This is correct however it should be kept in mind that management will never become mathematics, rather mathematics is being utilized to explain abstract science. It is essential to other sciences. For instance, it is basic to the study of physics. But, it is not the mathematics which is the science of management but the usage of mathematics in relating and understanding the activity of management.

Science may play a role in the solution of managerial problems in a couple of ways: (a) present research and theory related to the problem may be brought to bear on its solution; and (b) where adequate time is available, research can be carried out to deliver information not previously available and to guide solution accordingly. As the body of scientific knowledge bearing on management process increases, the first technique may get broader application. But, next technique might have restricted application due to the prevalent time pressure on decision-making for problem solution. With above text, we have tried to discuss Management as Science.