Interrelationship Between Management Functions

 NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MANAGEMENT

The basic features or characteristics of management are as follows:

1) Management is Goal-Oriented. The purpose of management is to achieve the goals of the organization. For instance, management of a business aims at satisfaction of customers, earning of profits and increasing the goodwill and image of the business. There is no need of management if there are no pre-determined goals or objectives. The success of management is judged by the extent to which organisational goals are achieved. The basic purpose of management is to achieve maximum efficiency of the organisation.

2) Management is a Continuous Process. Management is a continuous process, i.e., its functions are repeated time and again. Management does not stop anywhere. It is an ongoing process of planning the activities and execution of plans through organizing, staffing, directing and controlling.

3) Management is a Coordinated Force. The essence of management is the coordination or integration of human and other resources for effective performance. It brings together physical and financial resources and leads the human resources for the efficient use of non-human resources. All these resources are properly organised and divided into various work-units for the purpose of achieving greater coordination. Management acts as a catalytic agent in getting maximum productivity.

4) Management is an Intangible Force. Management has been called the unseen force. Its presence is evident by the results of its efforts – orderliness, Informed employees, buoyant spirit and higher output. Thus, feeling of management is results are apparently known.

5) Management is a Part of Group Effort. Management is an internal part of any group activity. It is essential to undertake any organised activity. It cannot exist independent of the group or organisation it manages.

6) Management Accomplishes Results Through the Cooperation of Others. The managers cannot do everything themselves. They must have the necessary ability and skills to get work accomplished through the efforts of others. They must motivate the subordinates for the accomplishment of the tasks assigned to them. It is through motivation that managers can influence the behavior of their subordinates.

7) Management Balances Effectiveness and Efficiency. Sound management requires that all organisational activities are performed effectively and efficiently. An organization is said to be effective if it is able to accomplish its objectives. It will be termed as efficient if it is able to accomplish its objectives by making optimum use of resources.

8) Management is a Science as well as an Art. Management has an organised body of knowledge consisting of distinct concepts, principles and techniques which have wide application. So it is treated as a science. The application of these concepts, principles and techniques requires specialized knowledge and skills on the part of the manager. Since the skills acquired by a manager are his personal possession, management is viewed as an art.  The skills can be learnt through training and experience.

9) Management is a Dynamic Discipline. Management is a field of study which is taught in universities and management institutes. In fact, management is multidisciplinary in nature. It contains principles drawn from many social sciences like anthropology, psychology, sociology, etc. Much of management literature is the result of the association of these disciplines.

10) Management is Pervasive or Universal. Management is essential for effective performance of any organised activity. Thus, it is universal in nature. The principles and techniques of management have universal application. That can be applied to all types of organisations.