Management: Definition

Let us look at various definitions of management before we begin the studies of Management. As most of the subjects in MBA are management related, it is essential that we understand the meaning of management.

We begin with the definition provided by dictionary

Man-age-ment /’manijment/ (Noun)

1. The process of dealing with or controlling people: ‘the management of deer’

2. The responsibility for and control of company or similar organization: ‘the management of a newspaper’

Now let us look at few definitions given by management gurus, before we begin to analyze in detail

‘Management is an art of getting things done through and with people in formally organized groups. It is an art of creating an environment in which people can perform as individuals and cooperate towards attainment of common goals’

Harold Koontz

‘Management is an art of knowing what to do and see that it is done in the best and cheapest way’

F.W. Taylor

‘A process by which managers create, direct, maintain and operate purposive organization through systematic, coordinated, cooperative human efforts’

McFardland

Management is a process of reaching organizational goals with the help of combined effort by group of people.

Management can be defined as all the activities and tasks undertaken by one or more person for the purpose of planning and controlling the activities of others in order to achieve an objective or complete an activity that could not be achieved by the others acting independently.

All the above definitions showcase the below three characteristics:

1. It is a process or series of continuing and related activities.
2. It involves and concentrates on reaching organizational goals.
3. It reaches these goals by working with and through people and other organizational resources

Management can be defined in detail in following categories:

a. Management as a Process

b. Management as an Activity

c. Management as a Discipline

d. Management as a Group

e. Management as a Science

f. Management as an Art

g. Management as a Profession

We will look at each of the categories in details in the coming days.