Various Characteristics of Management - In order to improve understanding of management implementation in every organization, we have to be familiar with any management activities. There are at least 13 characteristics of management as described below:
- Management is characterized as a social process; It means that management takes place through people. In management, the importance of human factor cannot be ignored. A manager's job is to get the things done mutually with the support and cooperation of subordinates. It is this human element which gives management its special character.
- Management has different operational levels; Managers in each organization needs to manage business activities. Basically, his job is similar at all levels. It means that managers in the higher levels have more important duties while managers at the lower levels have to perform routine functions.
- Management is characterized as a managerial process; Management is a process and not merely a body of individuals. Those who perform this process are called managers. The managers exercise leadership by assuming authority and direct others to act within the organization. Management process involves planning, organizing, directing and unifying human efforts for the accomplishment of given tasks.
- Management involves achieving results through the efforts of others: Management is the art of getting the things done through others. Managers are expected to guide and motivate subordinates and get the expected performance from them. Management acts as an activating factor.
- Management is intangible: Management is not directly visible but its presence is noticed in the form of concrete results. It is like invisible spirit, which guides and motivates people working in a business unit. In the other perception, management is like government, which functions but is not visible in physical form.
- Management is not similar with ownership: This characteristic of management means separation of ownership and management. Managers are not the owners but they manage the business on behalf of the owners. Separation of ownership and management is a special feature of modem business organization.
- Management has vast scope: The scope of management is quite comprehensive. It covers all aspects of business. The principles of management guide managers while managing various business activities.
- Management is dynamic: Business is influenced by changes in economic, social, political technological and human resource. Management adjusts itself to the changing atmosphere making suitable forecasts and changes in the policies. Hence, management is treated as a dynamic process.
- Management aims at coordination of activities: Coordination is the essence of management. It gives one clear direction to the whole organization and brings unity and harmony in the whole business unit. It also indicates that effective communication at all levels is essential aspect.
- Management aims at achieving predetermined objectives: Management is a meaningful activity. All organizations are essentially groups of individuals formed for achieving common objectives. An Organization exists for the attainment of specific objectives.
- Management is all pervasive: Management is comprehensive and covers all departments, activities and employees. Managers operate at different levels but their functions are identical. This indicates that management is a universal and all pervasive process.
- Management is a science, art, as well as a profession: Management is a science because it has an organized body of knowledge while management is an art because certain skills, essential for good management, are unique to individuals. It is also a profession because it is based on advanced and cultivated knowledge.
- Management is an innovative process; management techniques are innovative and they need to be adjusted as per the requirements of the situations. Another manager need not repeat the decisions of one manager. Similarly, a manager has to change his decisions under different situations.
Surely, each people or managers may describe different characteristics of management according to their understanding of management. Therefore, 13 characteristics above could be used as considerations. Also read henry fayol principle of management.