Management as a Science and an Art (ISC Class 12 Commerce)
Updated 18 October 2026 · Fact-checked
Management is an inexact (social) science because it has a systematised body of knowledge, principles built on observation and experiment and cause-and-effect relations, but human behaviour makes results not exact. It is an art because it needs personalised, skilful and creative application of knowledge through practice. Science supplies the knowledge, art supplies the skill, so the two are complementary.
Science gives management its knowledge and art gives the skill to use it, so the two work together rather than compete.
Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.
Understand Management as a Science and an Art
1. Management as a science. Science is a systematised body of knowledge that explains general truths, based on observation, experiment and cause-and-effect relationships, with principles that are universally valid.
*Features seen in management*
- Systematised body of knowledge: management has its own theories and principles (built up by writers such as Taylor and Fayol).
- Principles based on observation and experiment: developed by studying many organisations and testing practices.
- Cause-and-effect relationship: lack of unity of command, for example, causes confusion.
- Universal validity, but not exact: principles apply widely, but results depend on human behaviour and situations.
Hence management is an inexact (social or behavioural) science, unlike physics or chemistry.
2. Management as an art. Art is the skilful and personal application of knowledge to achieve desired results.
*Features*
- Theoretical knowledge exists: managers study management literature.
- Personalised application: each manager applies the knowledge in his own style; two managers may handle the same problem differently.
- Based on practice and creativity: skill improves with practice, and good managers find creative solutions.
- Result-oriented: the aim is to achieve goals effectively.
3. Science and art are complementary. Science gives the knowledge (principles, techniques); art gives the skill to apply it to real, changing situations. A manager with principles but no skill with people fails; one with only instinct and no principles makes avoidable mistakes. The art of management begins where the science ends.
| Basis | Science | Art |
|---|---|---|
| Concerned with | Knowing (why) | Doing (how) |
| Basis | Principles, experiments | Practice, creativity |
| Application | General | Personalised |
| Learnt through | Study | Practice and experience |
4. Typical case clues. 'Principles tested over time', 'cause and effect' point to science. 'Same training, different style', 'improved through practice' point to art.
Management as a Science and an Art: key facts
- Features of science
- Systematised knowledge
- Observation and experiment
- Cause and effect
- Universal validity (inexact)
- Four features.
- Features of art
- Theoretical knowledge
- Personalised application
- Practice and creativity
- Result-oriented
- Four features.
- Conclusion
- Science: knowledge
- Art: skill
- Both complement
- Inexact science and an art.
How to answer Management as a Science and an Art questions
Questions ask you to show that management is a science or an art, or to name the feature shown in a case.
- 1For a case, decide whether the point is about principles and testing (science) or personal style and practice (art).
- 2Name the feature in the chapter's words.
- 3For 'inexact', give the reason: human behaviour.
- 4In a longer answer, end with the complementary view.
Management as a Science and an Art in real life
The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.
Art: personalised application
Suppose two sales managers with the same training deal with falling sales: one offers staff team incentives, the other holds weekly coaching sessions, and both recover sales.
Which nature of management does this show?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Same knowledge, applied in personal styles.
- Both reached results.
Answer: Management as an art (personalised application).
Memory hook: Same recipe, different cook.
Inexact science
Imagine a bonus scheme that raised output in one factory but led to rivalry and no gain in another.
What does this show about management as a science?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- A principle worked in one place and not in another.
- Human behaviour makes results differ.
Answer: Management is an inexact science because results depend on people.
Memory hook: People are not particles.
Tricks to remember Management as a Science and an Art
Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.
Science knows, art does
Science answers why; art answers how.
Use it when: Science versus art.
Inexact because human
The reason for 'inexact' is always human behaviour.
Use it when: Explaining inexact science.
Management as a Science and an Art: solved examples
Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.
Example 1: Identify the nature · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
A manager's skill in motivating people improves through years of practice and creativity. This shows that management is an:
(a) exact science
(b) art
(c) profession
(d) discipline
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Skill improved by practice and creativity is the mark of an art.
Answer: (b)
Example 2: Inexact science · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
Explain in two lines why management is called an inexact science.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Management has a systematised body of knowledge and principles based on observation and experiment.
- But it deals with human behaviour, so the principles do not give exact, universally the same results as in natural sciences.
Answer: It has principles, but human behaviour makes results inexact.
Example 3: Match the features · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Identify whether each point shows management as a science or an art: (i) theories of Taylor and Fayol taught in classes, (ii) a manager succeeds by her own style of handling people, (iii) principles are developed by testing practices in many firms, (iv) skill grows with experience and creativity.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- (i) Science: a systematised body of knowledge.
- (ii) Art: personalised application.
- (iii) Science: principles based on observation and experiment.
- (iv) Art: based on practice and creativity.
Answer: (i) science, (ii) art, (iii) science, (iv) art.
Example 4: Complementary nature · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Suppose a young manager has top marks in management theory but cannot get his team to cooperate, while an older supervisor ignores principles and makes frequent avoidable errors. Using the idea that science and art complement each other, explain what each lacks.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- The young manager has science (knowledge) but lacks art, the skill to apply it to people.
- The supervisor relies on art or instinct but lacks science, so he repeats avoidable mistakes.
- Science supplies principles; art supplies skill in application.
- Together they give good management.
Answer: Manager lacks art; supervisor lacks science; the two are complementary.
Example 5: A balanced answer · 8 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Suppose a student argues that 'management is purely an art, because every manager is different, so there is no need to study principles'. Evaluate in a balanced answer, using features of science and of art, and conclude.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Art: personalised application, practice and creativity do make managers differ, which supports part of the claim.
- Science: management also has a systematised body of knowledge, principles based on observation and experiment, and cause-and-effect relations; ignoring them leads to avoidable mistakes.
- Management is an inexact science because it deals with human behaviour, so the principles guide but do not guarantee results.
- Science provides knowledge and art provides skill; each is incomplete alone.
- Conclusion: management is both a science and an art, and studying principles remains useful.
Answer: The claim is only partly true; management is both science and art, complementary to each other.
Where students lose marks in Management as a Science and an Art
The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.
Mistake: Calling management an exact science
It deals with human behaviour.
Wrong working
Management is an exact science like physics.
Right working
Management is an inexact (social) science because human behaviour makes results vary.
Do this: Always write inexact.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Concluding that management is only an art or only a science
The accepted view is both, complementary.
Wrong working
Management is only an art.
Right working
Management is both a science and an art, with science giving knowledge and art giving skill.
Do this: End with the complementary view.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Listing features without a management example
Features should be linked to management.
Wrong working
Science has a systematised body of knowledge.
Right working
Management has a systematised body of knowledge: theories and principles of Taylor and Fayol.
Do this: Add one example.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Exam tips
- For cases, underline the clue word: principles, testing, style, practice.
- Always give the reason why the science is inexact.
- Close long answers with the complementary conclusion.
- Use the table of science versus art for comparisons.
Practice questions on Management as a Science and an Art
Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.
Q1 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level
Which feature of art is shown when two managers solve the same problem in different ways?
Hint
Style.
Answer
Personalised application.
Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
State two features of management as a science.
Hint
Knowledge and testing.
Answer
A systematised body of knowledge; principles based on observation and experiment (also cause-and-effect relations).
Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Why is management called an art even though it has principles?
Hint
Applying knowledge.
Answer
Principles must be applied skilfully to each situation, using personal judgement, creativity and practice; success depends on the manager's skill, not on knowledge alone.
Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
A company adopts a principle that worked well in its north plant and applies it unchanged to its south plant. It fails there. Explain, with reference to management as science and art, why this happened and what should have been done.
Hint
Inexact and personalised.
Answer
Management is an inexact science, so principles do not give the same results everywhere because people and situations differ. As an art, the principle should have been applied in a personalised way after studying the south plant's conditions, adjusting it as needed.
Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
A book claims, 'The art of management begins where the science ends.' Explain the statement with an example.
Hint
Knowledge gives limits.
Answer
Science provides principles, but these do not cover every situation. Where principles stop, the manager must use skill, judgement and creativity. Example: a principle says to motivate through rewards, but how a manager handles a specific upset employee needs personal judgement.
Test your recall
Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.
1.Why is management called an inexact science?Show answer
It deals with human behaviour.
2.What does art stress?Show answer
Personal skill, practice and creativity.
3.What does science provide?Show answer
Knowledge: principles and techniques.
4.What is the conclusion?Show answer
Management is both a science and an art.
Management as a Science and an Art: frequently asked questions
Is management a social science?
Yes; the chapter calls it an inexact (social or behavioural) science.
Can art be learnt?
Skill improves with practice, while knowledge is learnt by study.
Which comes first, science or art?
Knowledge comes from science, and skill in using it comes from art; both are needed.