Management and Administration

Development of Science for each part of men’s job (replacement of rule of thumb) This principle suggests that work assigned to any employee should be observed, analyzed with respect to each and every element and part and time involved in it. This means replacement of odd rule of thumb by the use of method of…

Scientific Management by Taylor

Fredrick Winslow Taylor ( March 20, 1856 – March 21, 1915) commonly known as ’Father of Scientific Management’ started his career as an operator and rose to the position of chief engineer. He conducted various experiments during this process which forms the basis of scientific management. It implies application of scientific principles for studying identifying…

Techniques of Scientific Management

Time Study It is a technique which enables the manager to ascertain standard time taken for performing a specified job. Every job or every part of it is studied in detail. This technique is based on the study of an average worker having reasonable skill and ability. Average worker is selected and assigned the job…

Categories

According to Theo Haimann, “Administration means overall determination of policies, setting of major objectives, the identification of general purposes and laying down of broad programmes and projects”. It refers to the activities of higher level. It lays down basic principles of the enterprise. According to Newman, “Administration means guidance, leadership control of the efforts of the groups towards some common goals”.

Whereas, management involves conceiving, initiating and bringing together the various elements; coordinating, actuating, integrating the diverse organizational components while sustaining the viability of the organization towards some pre-determined goals.

In other words, it is an art of getting things done through with the people in formally organized groups.

The difference between Management and Administration can be summarized under 2 categories: -

Functions
Usage/Applicability

On the Basis of Functions: -

Basis	Management	Administration
Meaning	Management is an art of getting things done through others by directing their efforts towards achievement of pre-determined goals.	It is concerned with formulation of broad objectives, plans policies.
Nature	Management is an executing function.	Administration is a decision-making function.
Process	Management decides who should as it how should he dot it.	Administration decides what is to be done when it is to be done.
Function	Management is a doing function because managers get work done under their supervision.	Administration is a thinking function because plans policies are determined under it.
Skills	Technical and Human skills	Conceptual and Human skills
Level	Middle lower level function	Top level function

On the Basis of Usage: -

Basis	Management	Administration
Applicability	It is applicable to business concerns i.e. profit-making organization.	It is applicable to non-business concerns i.e. clubs, schools, hospitals etc.
Influence	The management decisions are influenced by the values, opinions, beliefs decisions of the managers.	The administration is influenced by public opinion, govt. policies, religious organizations, customs etc.
Status	Management constitutes the employees of the organization who are paid remuneration (in the form of salaries wages).	Administration represents owners of the enterprise who earn return on their capital invested profits in the form of dividend.

Practically, there is no difference between management administration. Every manager is concerned with both - administrative management function and operative management function as shown in the figure. However, the managers who are higher up in the hierarchy denote more time on administrative function the lower level denote more time on directing and controlling worker’s performance i.e. management.

The Figure above clearly shows the degree of administration and management performed by the different levels of management

Article Written by

Himanshu Juneja

Himanshu Juneja, the founder of Management Study Guide (MSG), is a commerce graduate from Delhi University and an MBA holder from the esteemed Institute of Management Technology (IMT). He has always been someone deeply rooted in academic excellence and driven by a relentless desire to create value. Recently, he was honored with the “Most Aspiring Entrepreneur and Management Coach of 2025 (Blindwink Awards 2025)” award, a testament to his hard work, vision, and the value MSG continues to deliver to the global community.