Interrelationship Between Management Functions

NATURE OF MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

The principles of management have the following distinctive features :

1. General Statement. Management principles have been derived out of experience and analysis only. They have not been tested under laboratory or controlled conditions. That is why they have been expressed in the form of general statements. They cannot be stated as rigorously as the principles of physical sciences. The obvious reason is that management principles deal with human beings who have different backgrounds, perceptions and needs.

2. Dynamic Guidelines. The principles of management are flexible in nature. Refinements in principles take place continuously. This is made possible by the ever-increasing research in the field of management. Management principles change with the changes in environment in which the organisation exists. As such they must be accepted as flexible and dynamic as best as ‘diagnostic guides'.

3. Based on Situation. The application of management principles depends upon the specific situation being faced by the manager. Thus, they can be modified by the manger to meet the needs of the situation.

The principle are neither absolute nor stable for all times to come. They are flexible in the sense that they can undergo a change according to the changed conditions. However, it does not mean that they may be overhauled according to the whims and experiences of even those who have not matured themselves in managing. If this is allowed, the principles will not withstand the test of time. The principles, if they are to serve as the foundation for efficient management in future, must be able to withstand the test in time.

4. Careful Application. As said earlier, management principles are relative and not absolute laws which can be applied blindly in all situations. They must be applied carefully depending on organisational requirements and situational demands. According to G.R. Terry, “Management principles are capsules of selected management wisdom to be used carefully and discretely”.

5. Universal Application. Most of the management principles can be applied to all kinds of organisations. In other words, they are applicable to business organizations, social, political, religious, and other non-profit organizations. Moreover, they have utility in all kinds of economics of the world. The universality of these principles has been established beyond doubt as they are being applied by various people managing different organizations. They are applicable in any kind of organisation wherever there is a need of coordinated efforts of human beings. This is because same managerial functions of planning, organizing, directing and controlling are required to be performed for achieving the objectives of any organization.