Management: Concept, Functions and Principles
What this domain tests
Management as a process, its nature as art, science and profession, its functions, and the principles of Fayol and Taylor. Expect definitional questions and applied items asking which principle is violated.
Core rules
- Management is getting things done through others to achieve goals efficiently and effectively.
- Functions: planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling; coordination is the essence, not a separate function.
- Fayol's 14 principles include division of work, authority and responsibility, discipline, unity of command, unity of direction, subordination of individual interest, remuneration, centralisation, scalar chain, order, equity, stability of tenure, initiative and esprit de corps.
- Taylor's scientific management: science, not rule of thumb; harmony, not discord; cooperation, not individualism; development of each person. Techniques include time study, motion study and differential piece rate.
Worked example
A worker receives orders from both the production supervisor and the sales manager. Reasoning: two bosses violate unity of command, so accountability becomes unclear and conflict arises. Unity of direction means one head and one plan for a group of activities; it is not the same thing. Remedy: fix a single reporting line.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing unity of command with unity of direction.
- Calling coordination a separate function; it is the essence of management.
- Claiming management is a full profession; there is no compulsory licence.
- Mixing Fayol's general administration with Taylor's shop-floor efficiency.