Management can be viewed as a science, art, or profession. While it shares some characteristics with science in having a systematic body of knowledge developed through research, its principles are not universally applicable since they depend on human behavior. Management is also an art because it values individual skill and experience and systematic knowledge is applied practically. Ultimately, management has aspects of both a science and an art since it involves both a theoretical body of knowledge that is also applied in practice based on individual skill.

4. Management experts have different
views on the nature of management. Some
are of the opinion that management is a
science, some others hold the view that it is an
art and yet others say it is a profession.
Taking all these views into account, we can
determine the nature of management.

5. A. MANAGEMENT IS A SCIENCE
A strong group of management experts
say that management has some unique
features in common with science. Following
are the special features of science which are
compatible with the features of management.

6. Features of science are:-
 Science is systematically arranged branch
of knowledge:
Science is a systematically arranged branch of
knowledge. Its principles are evolved through
experiments and observations and they are
combined and preserved in different study
materials. This holds good with management
also. Management principles are also evolved
through experiments and observations and
they are also combined and preserved.

7.  Principles are formed from continuous
research:
Scientists develop scientific principles after
numerous experiments carried out in different
places and under different circumstances. This
approach is true of management as well.
Management has developed its principle after
numerous experiments in different companies
at different places.

8.  Principles are universally applicable:
Scientific principles are universally applicable.
For example, if molecules of hydrogen and
oxygen are mixed, we get water anywhere in
the world. However, management principles
cannot be applied universally and in the same
way. Since management is related to man, its
principles are related to human behaviour, his
culture, education and life style. Therefore
universal applicability of science may not be
compatible with management principles. For
example, in a community of Buddhist monks,
management principles may not work out.

9.  Scientific principles are formulated on the
basis of observation and logic:
Scientific principles are defined after logical
observation. Moreover, observation of
scientists will be hundred percent objective.
But managers observe human beings and
observation of managers may not be cent
percent objective. Therefore this principle of
science is also not compatible with
management principles.
When scientific principles and management
principles are compared, we can reach the
following conclusion.

10. Conclusion
Of the four features of science, the first
two features are latent in management
principles also. But the last two principles
are not seen in management. Therefore it is
not possible to say that management is an
exact science like physics or chemistry. As
management is related to man, we can say,
management is a social science.

11. B. MANAGEMENT IS AN ART
A group of management experts are of
the view that management is an art.
Therefore let us examine the features of art
and see whether they are compatible with the
characteristics of management.

12. Features of art are:-
 Theoretical knowledge is systematically
arranged in art:
The theoretical knowledge of art is
systematically arranged in the books in order to
enable the people to absorb the various aspects of
art. For example, several books are a available
which give about different aspects of music. In
management also several books have been
published giving knowledge about different
aspects of management. Thus systematic
arrangement of theoretical knowledge is an aspect
common to both art and management.

13.  Art gives importance to individual
differences:
An artist becomes perfect in his work of art by
combining the knowledge he has gained with his
own inherent talents. For example, even though
different dancers are trained by the same trainer,
some of them excel by adding their natural
talents. In management also all managers learn
same theories and principles, but their efficiency
depends on how well they use these principles
under different situations by applying their own
personal creativity and skill. So this feature of art
is also present in management.

14.  An artist gains perfection through constant
practice:
Just as an artist gains perfection through
constant practice, the managers become more
perfect from their experience they have gained
from the different circumstances. That means
art and management have this characteristics in
common.
Conclusion
As management has all the features of art in
common, we can say that management is an
art.

15. C. MANAGEMENT IS BOTH SCIENCE
AND ART
As management is systematically arranged
body of knowledge, it is a science. As this
collection of knowledge is practically applied, it
is also an art.

16. Management is both science and art
As art
As science
Management is a
systematically arranged
collection of knowledge.
Management principles
are gained through
constant research.
Art is a collection of
theoretical knowledge.
Individual differences
are important in art.
An artist gains
perfection through
constant practice.