The nature of Principles of management can be summarised as:
(A) Cause and effect relationships
(B) Mainly behavioural
(C) Specific guidelines
(D) Contingent
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (B) and (D) only
(A) Cause and effect relationships — Correct. Principles tell what is likely to happen when a certain action is taken. For example, unity of command avoids confusion.
(B) Mainly behavioural — Correct. Principles aim at shaping the behaviour of people, because management works through people.
(C) Specific guidelines — Incorrect. Principles are general guidelines. They do not give ready answers, because real situations differ and change, so each principle must be adapted.
(D) Contingent — Correct. How a principle is applied depends on the situation at that time. It is contingent on the conditions.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “(v) Mainly behavioural: Management principles aim at influencing behaviour of human beings. Therefore, principles of management are mainly behavioural in nature. …” “(vi) Cause and effect relationships: The principles of management are intended to establish relationship between cause and effect so that they can be used in similar situations in a large number of cases. …” “(vii) Contingent: The application of principles of management is contingent or dependent upon the prevailing situation at a particular point of time. …” “(ii) General guidelines: The principles are guidelines to action but do not provide readymade, straitjacket solutions to all managerial problems. …” |