Management as a Field of Study and Its Applications

By Rabiu Aminu, PhD, FCNA, FMNES

Management is a vital component of any organization. It involves planning, organizing, directing, and controlling resources (such as personnel, finances, and materials) to achieve organizational objectives efficiently and effectively. Management has evolved into a field of study over the years, with various theories, concepts, and techniques developed to help managers improve their decision-making and problem-solving abilities. This article will explore management as a field of study and its application in managing organizations.

Management as a Field of Study

Management as a field of study emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily in response to the need for increased efficiency in the manufacturing industry. Scientific management, developed by Frederick Taylor, aimed to improve productivity by optimizing work processes through the systematic analysis of tasks and the standardization of work methods. The human relations approach, developed by Elton Mayo, emphasized the importance of social and psychological factors in the workplace, such as motivation and communication, in improving employee performance and satisfaction.

Management theory has evolved since then, with various schools of thought emerging, such as the contingency approach, systems theory, and total quality management. These theories have provided different perspectives on how to manage organizations effectively, with each emphasizing different factors that affect organizational performance. For example, contingency theory suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to management, and managers must adapt their style and strategies to fit the specific circumstances of their organization. Systems theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of various organizational elements and how they affect organizational performance. Total quality management emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement in all aspects of the organization.

Management as a field of study also includes various techniques and tools that managers can use to improve their decision-making and problem-solving abilities. These include decision analysis, forecasting, project management, and data analysis. Decision analysis involves systematically evaluating alternative options and choosing the best course of action based on established criteria. Forecasting involves predicting future events based on past data and trends. Project management involves planning, executing, and controlling projects to achieve specific goals. Data analysis involves using statistical methods to analyze and interpret data to gain insights into organizational performance.

Application of Management Knowledge in Managing Organizations

The application of management knowledge in managing organizations involves using management theories, concepts, and techniques to achieve organizational objectives. This involves various functions of management, such as planning, organizing, directing, and controlling.

Planning involves setting organizational objectives and developing strategies and plans to achieve them. This includes conducting a situational analysis to understand the internal and external factors that affect organizational performance, setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives, and developing strategies and action plans to achieve them.

Organizing involves determining the optimal allocation of resources to achieve organizational objectives. This includes designing organizational structures and processes to facilitate communication, coordination, and collaboration among employees, and assigning roles and responsibilities to ensure that each employee contributes to achieving organizational objectives.

Directing involves motivating and leading employees to achieve organizational objectives. This includes creating a positive work environment, communicating effectively with employees, providing training and development opportunities, and recognizing and rewarding employee performance.

Controlling involves monitoring and evaluating organizational performance and making adjustments as necessary. This includes setting performance standards, measuring performance against those standards, and taking corrective action when performance falls short of expectations.

Management as a field of study has evolved over the years, with various theories, concepts, and techniques developed to help managers improve their decision-making and problem-solving abilities. The application of management knowledge in managing organizations involves using management theories, concepts, and techniques to achieve organizational objectives. Effective management requires a combination of technical skills, such as data analysis and project management, as well as interpersonal skills, such as communication and leadership. By applying management knowledge effectively, managers can improve organizational performance and achieve organizational objectives.

References

Taylor, F.W. (1911). The Principles of Scientific Management. Harper & Brothers.

Mayo, E. (1933). The Human Problems of an Industrial Civilization. Macmillan.

Lawrence, P.R., & Lorsch, J.W. (1967). Differentiation and Integration in Complex Organizations.                         Administrative Science Quarterly, 12(1), 1-47.

Deming, W.E. (1986). Out of the Crisis. MIT Press.

Mintzberg, H. (1979). The Structuring of Organizations. Prentice-Hall.