CHARACTERISTIC OF MANAGEMENT

An analysis of the various definitions of management reveals the following important characteristic

          1.         A Group Activity.

Management is a group activity. No individual can satisfy all his desires by himself. Hence he unites with his fellow beings and work in an rightly called management as a ‘co-operative group’. Management becomes essential wherever, there is an organized group of people working toward a common goel. It makes the people realize the objective of the group. It direct their efforts towards the achievement of these objectives.

          2.         Goal oriented.

According to Theo Haimann, “Effective management is always management by objective”. Haynes and Massie opine that without objectives management would be difficult, if not impossible. The chief aims of management are economis and social. It aims to achieve some definite goals or objective. Group efforts are directed towards the achievement of some predetermined goals. Management is concerned with establishment and accomplishment of these objectives.

          3.         A Factor of Production.

Managament is not an end in itself. It is a means to achieve the group objectives. It is a factor of production that is required to co-ordinate the other factor of production for the accomplishment of predetermined goals, just as land, labour and capital are factors of production and are essential for the production of goods and services.

          4.         Universal in Character.

According to Socrates,”Over whatever an man may preside, he will be a good president if he knows what he needs and is able to provide it whether he has the direction of a chorus, a family, a city or an army.” In the word of Henry Fayol,”Be it a case of commerce, politics,  religion, war in every concern there is management function to be performed.” Management is required in all types of organizations. Wherever there is some human activity, there is management. The basic principles of management. The basic principles of management are universal. These can be applied in all organusation, business, social religious, cultural, sport, educational, politics or military.

          5.         Needed at all Levels of the Organisation.

According to the nature of task and the scope of authority, management is needed at all levels of the organization, e.g., top level, middle level and supervisory level. Like the chief executive the lowest level supervisor has also to perform the significant and irreplaceable function of decision making.

          6.         Distinct Process.

Management is a distinct process performed to determine and accomplish stated objective by the use of human beings and other resources. Different from the activities, techniques and procedures, the proess of management consists of such function as planning, organizing, staffing, directing, co-ordinating, motivating and controlling.

          7.         Social Process.

In the words of brech, “Management is a social process entailing responsibility for the effective and economical planning and the regulation of the operation of an enterprise, in fulfillment of a given purpose or task”. Management cousists in getting things done through other. Dealing with people management direct co-ordinates and regulates the efforts of the human beings in order to achieve the desired results. It is in this sense, management as a social process. It has a social process. It has a social obligation to make optimum use of scarce resources for the benefit of the community as a whole.

          8.         System of Authority.

Authority to accomplish the work form others is implied in the very of management since it is a process of directing men to perform a task. Authority is the power to compel men to work in a certain manner. Management cannot work in the absence of authority since it is a rule making and rule enforcing body. There is a chain of authority and responsibility  among people working at different levels of the organization. There cannot be an efficient management without well defined lines of command or superior sub ordinate relationships at the various level of decision making.

          9.         Dynamic function,

Management has to be performed continuously, in an ever-changing business environment. It is constantly engaged in the moulding of the enterprise. It is also concerned about the alteration of environment it self so as to ensure the success of the enterprise.

        10.        Itangible.

Management is intangible. It can be felt in the form of result and not seen. For example, when we are not able to produce the desired quantity we say it is the result poor management.

        11.        Ar as well as Science.

Management is a scince since its principles are of universal application. Management is an art as the result of management depend upon the personal skill of managers. The art of the manager is essential to make the best use of management is bouth science and art.

        12.        A Profession.

Managament is a profession. It has a systematic and specialized body knowledge consisting of principles, techniques and laws. It can be taught as a separate discipline or subject. With the advent of large scale business, the management is now entrusted in the hand of professional managers.

Sumber : http://books.google.co.id/books?id=sdjcnp33F4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=cost+accounting&hl=id&sa=X&ei=Os_OU4_oFY27uAS23YDQCg&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=cost%20accounting&f=fals