Managing as a Science

The science of managing is a body of systematized knowledge accumulated and accepted with reference to the understanding of general truths concerning management."s It is true that the science underlying managing is inexact, or a soft science at best. It is not so accurate or comprehensive as physical sciences (such as chemistry or biology) which deal with non-human entities. The inclusion of the human element in managing makes this discipline not only complex but also controversial as a pure science. Human behavior is unpredictable. Different people think, act or react differently under identical circumstances. So management can never become as pure a science as the 'natural or physical sciences. Nevertheless, the study of the scientific elements in management methodologies can certainly improve the practice of management.

Managers who attempt to manage without management science have to trust their intuition or luck at their peril rather than their expertise or skill. Thus they have to turn for meaningful guidance to accumulated knowledge of managing.