Principles of Management: Flexible Guidelines for Managers

The principles of management are general guidelines that aim to influence the behaviour of human beings in an organization. These principles are not readymade solutions to management problems, but they provide a framework for managers to make informed decisions. The principles of management are flexible, and they can be modified by the manager when the situation demands. The following are the reasons why the principles of management are said to be flexible.

General Guidelines

The principles of management are general guidelines that provide a framework for managers to make decisions. These principles are not rigid rules that must be followed in every situation. Instead, they provide managers with a set of tools that can be used to solve different management problems. Managers can use these principles to create their own management style that suits their organization's needs.

Modification

The principles of management can be modified by the manager when the situation demands. Managers need to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of the organization. For example, the principle of unity of command states that an employee should receive orders from only one supervisor. However, in a matrix organizational structure, an employee may receive orders from multiple supervisors. In this situation, the principle of unity of command may not be applicable.

Dependent on the Situation

The application of the principles of management is dependent upon the prevailing situation at a particular time. The manager needs to evaluate the situation and apply the appropriate principles. For example, the principle of division of labour states that work should be divided among individuals and groups to increase efficiency. However, in a small organization, this principle may not be applicable as there may not be enough employees to divide the work among.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the principles of management provide general guidelines for managers to make informed decisions. These principles are flexible and can be modified by the manager when the situation demands. The application of these principles is dependent upon the prevailing situation at a particular time. Therefore, managers need to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of the organization to achieve success.

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