The following points summarise the nature of principles of management:
A. Limited applicability
B. Rigidity
C. General guidelines
D. Contingent
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → C and D only
A. Limited applicability — Incorrect. Management principles have universal applicability. They can be used in all kinds of organisations, business and non-business, small and large.
B. Rigidity — Incorrect. Management principles are flexible. A manager can adapt them to the needs of the situation. They are not rigid like the principles of pure science.
C. General guidelines — Correct. The principles are guidelines to action. They do not give ready-made answers to every problem, because business situations are complex.
D. Contingent — Correct. Using a principle depends on the situation at the time. So the principles are contingent on the conditions in which they are applied.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Nature of Principles of Management … (ii) General guidelines: The principles are guidelines to action but do not provide readymade, straitjacket solutions to all managerial problems. …” “(iv) Flexibile: The principles of management are not rigid prescriptions, which have to be followed absolutely. They are flexible and can be modified by the manager when the situation so demands. …” “(vii) Contingent: The application of principles of management is contingent or dependent upon the prevailing situation at a particular point of time. …” “(i) Universal applicability: The principles of management are intended to apply to all types of organisations, business as well as non-business, small as well large, public sector as well as private sector, manufacturing as well as the services sectors. …” |