CASE STUDIES ON MANAGEMENT AS A SCIENCE
Management as a Science – 10 Case Studies
Difficulty: Medium to Hard
These case studies are strictly limited to the topic “Management as a Science.” Each case focuses on systematic knowledge, principles, observation, experimentation, cause-and-effect relationships, universal applicability, and the fact that management is an inexact science.
Case Study 1
ABC Ltd. noticed that employees were becoming confused because one employee received instructions from several managers. The company studied management principles and introduced the principle of unity of command. After implementation, confusion was reduced.
1. Which feature of management as a science is shown in the case?
A. Management is an exact science
B. Management has a systematic body of knowledge
C. Management depends only on experience
D. Management has no principles
Answer: B
Explanation: Management has a systematic body of knowledge consisting of principles such as unity of command, division of work and discipline.
2. The principle used by ABC Ltd. is useful because it:
A. Provides a guideline for managerial decisions
B. Guarantees the same result everywhere
C. Removes the need for managers
D. Is a fixed scientific law
Answer: A
Explanation: Management principles act as guidelines. They help managers deal with organisational situations.
Case Study 2
A manager noticed that employees who received proper training made fewer mistakes. He observed the employees for several months and compared their performance with untrained employees.
3. Which scientific feature is mainly demonstrated?
A. Personal opinion
B. Systematic observation
C. Guesswork
D. Authority
Answer: B
Explanation: The manager systematically observed employee performance and compared the results.
4. The manager’s observation may help in developing a:
A. Management principle
B. Political rule
C. Legal contract
D. Personal belief
Answer: A
Explanation: Management principles can be developed through observation, experience and systematic study.
Case Study 3
XYZ Ltd. wanted to improve employee productivity. The manager introduced a new incentive scheme in one department for three months. The results were studied before introducing the scheme in other departments.
5. Which feature of management as a science is demonstrated?
A. Experimentation
B. Universal certainty
C. Personal judgement
D. Rigidity
Answer: A
Explanation: The manager tested the incentive scheme before applying it on a larger scale. This is experimentation.
6. Why is experimentation useful in management?
A. It guarantees success in every situation.
B. It helps managers test the usefulness of a method.
C. It removes the need for observation.
D. It makes management an exact science.
Answer: B
Explanation: Experimentation helps managers understand whether a particular method works effectively in a given situation.
Case Study 4
A company noticed that employees were making many mistakes because their work was not properly divided. The manager introduced division of work. After some time, employee efficiency improved.
7. Which concept of science is reflected in this case?
A. Cause-and-effect relationship
B. Personal preference
C. Universal certainty
D. Random decision-making
Answer: A
Explanation: The case shows a relationship between division of work and improved efficiency.
8. What does this case suggest about management principles?
A. They have no practical value.
B. They can help explain relationships between actions and results.
C. They always produce fixed results.
D. They cannot be tested.
Answer: B
Explanation: Management principles help managers understand how certain actions may lead to particular outcomes.
Case Study 5
A school uses planning and organising to manage its activities. A hospital also uses planning and organising to provide better services. A business uses the same basic management principles to achieve its objectives.
9. Which feature of management as a science is shown?
A. Exactness
B. Universal applicability
C. Complete predictability
D. Rigidity
Answer: B
Explanation: Management principles can be applied in different types of organisations, including schools, hospitals and businesses.
10. Universal applicability means that management principles:
A. Must be applied in exactly the same way everywhere.
B. Can be useful in different organisations.
C. Always produce identical results.
D. Apply only to business firms.
Answer: B
Explanation: Management principles have broad applicability, but managers may need to modify their application according to the situation.
Case Study 6
A manager introduced the same employee motivation technique in two departments. In the first department, productivity increased significantly. In the second department, productivity increased only slightly.
11. What does this situation show?
A. Management principles are useless.
B. Management is an exact science.
C. Management principles may produce different results in different situations.
D. Management has no systematic knowledge.
Answer: C
Explanation: Management deals with people. Different employees and situations can lead to different results.
12. Why is management called an inexact science?
A. It has no principles.
B. It deals with human behaviour.
C. It cannot be studied.
D. It has no practical application.
Answer: B
Explanation: Human behaviour is not completely predictable. Therefore, management cannot provide results with the same accuracy as physical sciences.
Case Study 7
A company uses the principle of division of work. However, because it is a small organisation with only ten employees, some employees perform more than one task.
13. Which characteristic of management principles is shown?
A. Rigidity
B. Flexibility
C. Exactness
D. Permanence
Answer: B
Explanation: Management principles are flexible. They can be adjusted according to the size and circumstances of an organisation.
14. Why can management principles be modified?
A. They are not based on knowledge.
B. They are guidelines rather than rigid laws.
C. They are personal opinions.
D. They have no practical value.
Answer: B
Explanation: Management principles provide general guidance. Managers can modify their application according to the situation.
Case Study 8
A student says, “Management is exactly like physics because both have principles.” Another student disagrees and says that management principles cannot always predict the exact behaviour of employees.
Questions
15. Which student has the more appropriate view?
A. The first student
B. The second student
C. Both are completely wrong
D. Neither student
Answer: B
Explanation: Management has principles like a science, but it deals with human behaviour. Therefore, it cannot predict results with complete accuracy.
16. Management differs from physical sciences mainly because:
A. Management has no principles.
B. Management cannot be studied.
C. Management deals with human behaviour.
D. Management has no systematic knowledge.
Answer: C
Explanation: Human behaviour is variable and difficult to predict exactly. This makes management an inexact science.
Case Study 9
A newly appointed manager studies management principles before taking important decisions. He learns about division of work, unity of command and discipline. He then applies these principles according to the needs of his organisation.
17. What does this case demonstrate?
A. Management can be studied and taught.
B. Management cannot be learned.
C. Management depends only on intuition.
D. Management has no principles.
Answer: A
Explanation: Management has a systematic body of knowledge. Therefore, it can be studied and taught.
18. Why is the manager required to modify the application of principles?
A. Management principles are useless.
B. Management principles are flexible.
C. Management has no scientific basis.
D. Management is completely unpredictable.
Answer: B
Explanation: Management principles are flexible guidelines and should be applied according to the specific situation.
Case Study 10
PQR Ltd. wanted to improve productivity. The manager first studied existing work methods. He observed employees and identified that poor division of work was causing delays. He introduced a new work structure and tested it in one department. After analysing the results, he applied the improved method to other departments. However, the results were not exactly the same in every department because employees had different skills and attitudes.
19. Which combination of scientific features is shown in this case?
A. Observation, experimentation and systematic study
B. Guesswork, intuition and personal opinion
C. Authority, discipline and centralisation only
D. Personal experience and luck
Answer: A
Explanation: The manager observed the situation, studied it systematically, tested a solution and analysed the results.
20. Why were the results different in different departments?
A. Management has no principles.
B. Management is not based on scientific knowledge.
C. Human behaviour and circumstances can vary.
D. Management principles cannot be applied anywhere.
Answer: C
Explanation: Employees have different skills, attitudes and responses. Therefore, management principles may produce different results in different situations.
