Sponsor Area
'Management is a science like physics or chemistry.' Do you agree with thisstatement? Give reasons in support of your answer.
This statement is wrong. Although management can be called science but not as an exact or pure science like Physics or Chemistry.
It is important to apply the characteristics of science to management in order to find out whether management is a science or not. Following are the main points:
(i) Systematised Body of Knowledge: It is necessary for science to be a systematised body of knowledge. Management is also a systematised body of knowledge because it has its own theory and principle which are developed by the management experts after years of research.
(ii) Principles Based on Experiments: After applying this characteristic of science to management, we find that development of management took years for the collection offacts, their analysis and experiments.
(iii) Universal Validity: Scientific principles are based on truth and they can be applied atevery time and in every situation. Thus, its universal application is possible. In the field of management too, managerial knowledge and principles of management are considered to be based on truth and they, too, can be applied anywhere and in every situation.
Conclusion: The subject matter of management is 'Human Being' who is an intelligent and sensitive being and whose behaviour or conduct changes according to the changing situations. Therefore, no permanent principles like the principles of physics and chemistry can be enunciated in relation to his conduct or behaviour. Clearly the science of management cannot be called a natural or pure science but it should be described as an Applied Science or Inexact Science.
(i) Systematised Body of Knowledge: It is necessary for science to be a systematised bodyof knowledge. Management is also a systematised body of knowledge because it has its owntheory and principles which are developed by the management experts after years ofresearch.
(ii) Principles Based on Experimentation: After applying this characteristic of science tomanagement, we find that development of management took years for the collection offacts, their analysis and experiments. In other words, management came into existencebecause of the continuous and encouraging labour of the theorists and various peopleconcerned.
(iii) Universal Validity: Scientific principles are based on truth and they can be applied atevery time and in every situation. Thus, its universal application is possible. In the field of management too, managerial knowledge and principles of management are considered to be based on truth and they, too, can be applied anywhere and in every situation. But the principles of management are not as exact as the principles of science as their application may not yield the desired results always.
Conclusion: The subject matter of management is 'Human Being' who is an intelligent and sensitive being and whose behaviour or conduct changes according to the changing situations. Therefore, no permanent principles like the principles of physics and chemistry can be enunciated in relation to his conduct or behaviour. Clearly the science of management cannot be called a natural or pure science but it should be described as an Applied Science or InexactScience.
A firm has taken the decision to employ more male employees than female employees because they can work overtime in case of excess work. Which values are being affected here?
(i) Gender biasness
(ii) Conservatism
(iii) Effect of male dominating society
(iv) Inequality of rights for same work.
An organisation proposes the use of CFL’s and LED’s which consumes less electricity than normal bulbs for its lighting arrangements. Which value is attained by the organisation?
(i) Save electricity
(ii) Reduction in cost
(iii) Protection of environment.
An organisation has done plantation around its factory premises and only after purifying the wastes, it throws it into the drains. Which values are being followed by the organisation?
(i) Safety from water and air pollution
(ii) Protection of Environment
(iii) Fulfilling the Social responsibility.
An entrepreneur wants to start his business in backward area because government gives many incentives and rebates in taxes. Which results in low cost and he will be able to sell the product at low prices. There he will be able to get large area by deforestation. Which values are being affected here?
(i) Deprivation of environment from deforestation
(ii) Availability of goods at low cost
(iii) Development of backward areas
(iv) Employment opportunities increase in backward area.
What is the objective of ‘Method Study’ as a technique of scientific management?
The objective of method study is to find out one best way of doing the job. There are various methods of doing the job. To determine the best way there are several parameters. Right from procurement of raw materials till the final product is delivered to the customer every activity is part of method study.
Principles of Taylor and Fayol are mutually complementary. One believed that the management should not close its ears to constructive suggestions made by the employees while the other suggested that a good company should have an employee suggestion system whereby suggestions which result in substantial time or cost reduction should be rewarded.
Identify and explain the principles of Taylor and Fayol referred in the above para.
Taylors principle of management which says, management should not close its ears to any constructive suggestions made by the employees, is Cooperation. There should be complete cooperation between the labour and the management instead of individualism. They should be part of management and, if any important decisions are taken, workers should be taken into confidence.
According to Fayol’s principle of management, Workers should be encouraged to develop and carry out their plans for improvements. It is based upon the principle of initiative. Initiative means taking the first step with self-motivation. It is thinking out and executing the plan. Initiative should be encouraged. A good company should have an employee suggestion system whereby initiative/ suggestions which result in substantial cost/time reduction should be rewarded.
Name and explain the principle of management according to which a manager should replace 'I' with 'We' in all his conversations with workers.
In this case, Fayol’s principle of ‘Espirit de Corps’ can be applied. According to Fayol’s principle of ‘Espirit De Corps’, A manager should replace ‘I’ with ‘We’ in all his conversations with workers to foster team spirit. This will give rise to a spirit of mutual trust and belongingness among team members. It will also minimise the need for using penalties.
Explain 'Harmony Not Discord' as a principle of Scientific Management.
In an organisation, there is always a chance for conflict between employer and employee due to class difference. Taylor recognised this and emphasised that there should be complete harmony between the management and workers. To achieve this state, Taylor called for complete mental revolution on the part of both management and workers. It means that management and workers should transform their thinking. Management should share the gains of the company, with the workers and at the same time, workers should work hard and be willing to embrace change for the good of the company.
Principles of Taylor and Fayol are mutually complementary. One believed that the management should not close its ears to constructive suggestions made by the employees while the other suggested that a good company should have an employee suggestion system whereby suggestions which result in substantial time or cost reduction should be rewarded.
Identify and explain the principles of Taylor and Fayol referred in the above para.
Taylors principle of management which says, management should not close its ears to any constructive suggestions made by the employees, is Cooperation. There should be complete cooperation between the labour and the management instead of individualism. They should be part of management and, if any important decisions are taken, workers should be taken into confidence.
According to Fayol’s principle of management, Workers should be encouraged to develop and carry out their plans for improvements. It is based upon the principle of initiative. Initiative means taking the first step with self-motivation. It is thinking out and executing the plan. Initiative should be encouraged. A good company should have an employee suggestion system whereby initiative/ suggestions which result in substantial cost/time reduction should be rewarded.
Explain how the principles of management:
a. Provide useful insights into the reality and
b. Help in thoughtful decision making.
a. The principles of management provide the managers with useful insights into real life situations. The principles add manager’s knowledge, ability and understanding of managerial situations and circumstances which helps them to solve problems quickly and increase managerial efficiency.
b. Management principles help in thoughtful decision-making. They are based on logic rather than blind faith. Management decisions taken on the basis of principles are free from bias and prejudice. They are based on the objective assessment of the situation.
Explain the technique of scientific management that is the extension of ‘Principle of division of work and specialisation’.
The technique of scientific management that is the extension of ‘principle of division of work and specialisation’ is ‘Functional Foremanship’. Like Fayols ‘Principle of management and specialisation’, F.W.Taylor felt that it was not possible to get in one man ‘the combination of brain, education, technical skill and other qualities necessary to handle all the requirements of an operating job’. He advocated functional foremanship to supervise workers. Under this system eight persons are involved to direct the activities of the workers. Out of these four people are concerned with planning and they are:
1) Route clerk
2) Instruction card clerk
3) Time and cost clerk
4) Disciplinarian
Other four persons are concerned with doing work, they are:
1) Speed boss
2) Inspector
3) Maintenance foreman and
4) Gang boss.
What is meant by principles of management?
Management Principles are guidelines to take decisions or actions while practicing managerial techniques. They are basic truths or guidelines for behavior.
State anyone principle of scientific management.
Explain any two techniques of Taylor's Scientific Management.
According to F W Taylor, “Scientific Management means setting exactly what you want men to do and seeing that they do it in the best and the cheapest way”. Techniques of scientific management includes:
Method study: The objective of method study is to find out one best way of doing the job. There are various methods of doing the job. To determine the best way there are several parameters. Right from procurement of raw materials till the final product is delivered to the customer every activity is part of method study. Taylor devised the concept of assembly line by using method study.
Motion study: Motion study refers to the study of movements like lifting, putting objects, sitting and changing positions etc., which are undertaken while doing a typical job. Unnecessary movements are sought to be eliminated so that it takes less time to complete the job efficiently.
On close examination of motions, it is possible to find out:
(i) Motions which are productive
(ii) Motions which are incidental
(iii) Motions which are unproductive.
Taylor used stopwatches and various symbols and colours to identify different motions. Through motion studies, Taylor was able to design suitable equipment and tools to educate workers on their use. It helps in saving in time and cost apart from reducing fatigue.
Sponsor Area
What is meant by ‘financial management'?
Financial management means efficiently acquiring, allocating and using funds. It is concerned with the investment, financing and dividend distribution decisions.
Ashutosh Goenka was working in ‘Axe Ltd.’, a company manufacturing air purifiers. He found that the profits had started declining from the last six months. Profit has an implication for the survival of the firm, so he analysed the business environment to find out the reasons for this decline.
(a) Identify the level of management at which Ashutosh Goenka was working.
(b) State three other functions being performed by Ashutosh Goenka.
(i) Ashutosh Goenka was working on top-level management in the organisation.
(ii) Other three functions performed by Ashutosh Goenka would be:
How do the techniques of ‘motion study’ help to improve the efficiency of workers?
By eliminating unnecessary and wasteful movements on the job.
What is meant by ‘mental revolution’ according to Taylor?
According to Taylor, mental revolution means a complete transformation in the attitude between management and workers. Both should realize that they need each other.
Why is it said that principles of management are flexible?
Because these can be modified by the manager when the situation so demands.
Name the technique of scientific management which focuses on separation of planning and execution function.
Functional Foremanship
What is the objective of ‘Time Study’?
To determine the standard time required to perform a certain job so as to fix a fair day’s work for the workman.
The directors of Bhupender Ltd. an organization manufacturing computers want to double the sales & have given this responsibility to their sales manager. The sales manager has no authority either to increase the sales expenses or appoint new salesman. Hence he could not achieve this target. Is the sales manager responsible for not achieving the target? Explain in brief, the relevant principle in support of your answer.
No, the sales manager is not responsible because he has no authority either to increase the sales expenses or appoint new salesmen.In this case, the principle of ‘Parity of Authority and Responsibility is violated’.
Authority means the right to orders & obtain obedience. There are two types of authority (a) Official authority i.e. authority to command & (b) Personal authority which is the authority of the individual manager. ‘Responsibility’ means an obligation to perform the job assigned on time. Fayol suggested that there must be a balance between authority and responsibility. Giving authority without responsibility may lead to the irresponsible use of authority. So an organization should build safeguards against abuse of managerial power.
Sita and Geeta are typists in a company having same educational qualifications. Sita is getting Rs. 3000 per month and Geeta Rs. 400 per month as salary for the same working hours. Which principle of management is violated in this case? Name and explain the principle.
Principle of Equity:
The principle of ‘Equity’ emphasizes kindliness and justice in the behaviour of managers towards works. According to Fayol, employees can be made to put in their best only when they are given kind, fair and just treatment.
The production manager of Bharat Ltd. instructs a salesman to go slow in selling the product, whereas the marketing manager is insisting on fast selling to achieve the target. Which principle of management is being violated in this case? State the consequences of violation of this principle.
Unity of Command is being violated in this case.
Consequences of Violation: If an employee gets orders from two superiors at the same time i.e., principle of unity of command is violated.
If an organization does not provide the right place for physical & human resources in the organization, which principle is violated? What are the consequences?
Principle of order is being violated here.
Consequences:
Nikita and Salman completed their MBA and started working in a multinational company at the same level. Both are working hard and happy with their employer. Salman had the habit of backbiting and wrong reporting about his colleagues to impress his boss. All the employees in the organization knew it. At the time of performance appraisal Nikita was judged better than Salman. Even then their boss, Mohammad Sharif decided to promote Salman stating that being a female Nikita will not be able to handle the complications of higher post.
Explain the following principles of management given by Fayol.
Unity of Command:
Order:
Benefits of the principle: no hindrance in the activities of business, increased productivity and efficiency.
The production manager of an automobile company asked the foreman to achieve a target production of 200 scooters per day. But he did not give him the authority to requisition tools and materials from the stores department. Can the production manager blame foreman if he is not able to achieve the desired target? Explain briefly the principle relating to the situation.
The principle is authority and responsibility. No, the production manager cannot blame the foreman because he did not give him the authority to requisition tools and material from the stores department since he has no authority, he cannot fulfil his responsibility.
ABC Ltd. is engaged in producing electricity from domestic garbage. There is an almost equal division of work responsibility between worker and management. The management even takes workers into confidence before taking important decisions.
Explain the nature of management principles.
Nature of management principles is described as follows:
Explain the importance of management principles
The importance of management principles can be understood by considering the following
points:
How do the techniques of scientific management improve the productivity of workers?
The technique of scientific management has helped in improving the productivity of the workers in the following manners.
Sponsor Area
Kushal Ltd. is a leading automobile company in which the various department are setting up their own objective without paying any interest to the organizational objectives.
Sponsor Area
Sponsor Area