Nature or Characteristics of Principles of Management

In previous blog post we have discussed Meaning and Definitions of Principles of Management. Now in this blog we are going to know nature and Characteristics of Principles of management.

Nature or Characteristics of Principles of Management

Principles of Management have the following features or characteristics:-

1. Universal Applicability-They are universal and can be applied in different organisations-business, government, military, hospital, university, etc. The basic task before every manager is to get the desired results through coordination of human efforts. Hence, they may be used with equal utility by managers of different organisations and at different levels of authority.

2. Flexibility-Management principles are flexible and continually changing. Management is a social science and its principles are not as rigid as those of physics or chemistry. These principles cannot be applied blindly in an identical manner to all situations. Necessary modification should be made to suit the given situation.

3. In Form of General Guidelines- Management principles are used as general guidelines. They cannot be applied blindly and strictly to all situations. In the words of Henry Fayol, "Principles of management are not absolute and must be utilised in the light of changing and special conditions." 

4. Developmental Principals- The management principles are advocated with increasing problems faced by managers in their working. As experience involves, new principles have got place. 

5. Equality-All management principles are equally important. No one principle has greater significance than the others. For example, One cannot say that the division of work is more important then unity of command, or vice-versa.

6. Human Nature Behaviourality-Management principles deals with human beings as all work is done by human-beings. But human behaviour is very complex and unpredictable. They are designed to influence human behaviour in the desired manner so that the organisational goals are achieved.

7. Cause and effect  

Relationship-Management principles establish cause and effect relationship between different factors. These principles indicate the consequences that will flow from a certain decision or action. 

For example, the principle of unity of command states that if there is more then one boss, confusion will occur in the minds of employee. Here, multiple command is the cause and confusion is the effect.

8. Relativity-Management principles are not absolute. They are framed according to situation available. For e.g, the principle of differential wages has a base of the working of two labourers. Thus, they are relative.