What is management science approach to management? Critically examine it.
OR
Define management science approach and explain the characteristics of the situation in which management science applications are usually made.
OR
Define management science approach and explain the characteristics of the situation in which management science applications are usually made.
Management Science Or Operations Research Or Approach
Quantitative Approach
A quantitative approach to management thought is known as management science or operations approach.
"C.West Churchman. Russell Adoff and E.Leonard Arnoff" define the management science or operations research OR approach as an application of the scientific method to problems arising in the operation of a system and a solving of these problems by the solving of mathematical equations representing the system. (Introduction to Operations Research. New York Willey. 1957).
The management science approach suggests that managers can best improve their organisation by using the scientific method and mathematical techniques to solve operational problems.
The Beginning of the Management Science Approach
During the World War II, in Great Britain and in America, some mathematicians, physicists and other scientists were called to help solve complex, operational problems that existing in the military. They were able to achieve significant technological and tactical breakthroughs. The scientists were organized into teams that eventually became known as operations research or groups. When the war was over the applicability of or to problems industry gradually became apparent, particularly in the wake of new industrial technologies being put into use or specialists were called to help managers come up with answers to the new problems. With the invention of electronic computer system or procedures were formalized into what is now called "management science school" or "quantitative school".
The early or groups typically included physicists and other "hard" scientists, who used the problem solving method known as scientific method which involves.
(i) Observing the problem system.
(ii) Constructing a model, i.e. a generalized framework from which consequences of changing the system can be predicted.
(iii) Deducting (inferring) from the model how the system will behave it changes were made in existing conditions.
(iv) Testing the model by performing an experiment on the actual system to see whether the effects of changes predicted using the model, actually occur when the changes are made.
The Operations Research groups were very successful in using the scientific method to solve their operational problems.
Now, the management science approach is being used in many companies in India and other countries and applied to many diverse management problems, such as production scheduling, plant location product packaging etc.
Characteristics of Management Science Applications
Four primary characteristics are usually present in situations in which management science techniques are applied. These are as follows:
1. Large Number of Variables
The management problems studied is so complicated that managers need help in analyzing a large number of variables.
2. Use of Mathematical Model
The use of mathematical models the investigate the decision situation in typical in management science applications. Models are constructed to represent reality and then used to determine how the real world situation might be improved.
3. Use of a Computer
A management science application makes use of computers. There are two factors that make computers extremely valuable to the management science analyst.
Today, managers are using such management science tools as inventory control methods, network models and probability models as aid in decision making process. Since management science thought is still evolving, more and more sophisticated analytical techniques can be expected.
Critical Evaluation of Management Science Approach
Management science team presents management with an objective basis for making a decision. Management science techniques increase the effectiveness of the managers decision making. They are best suited analyzing quantifiable factors, such as expenses, sales and units of production. They are used in such activities as capital budgeting management, cash flow management, production scheduling, development of product strategies, planning for human resource development programmes, maintenance of optional inventory levels and aircraft scheduling.
However, is special widespread use for many problems, management science of today has not developed to a point where it can effectively deal with an important aspect of the organization, that is the human side of an enterprise. But no doubt that it has marvelously contributed to the solving of planning and control problems and to the progress in the areas of organizing, staffing and the leading the organisation. Anyhow some managers complain about the complicated nature of the concepts, language and techniques of management science, which are not readily understandable and not easily implemental. Some other managers indicate about the drawback of management science in that if fails to address to the psychological and Behavioural components of workplace activities because the managers are not sufficiently involved with management scientists at the initial level of developing decision making techniques and as a result the later implementation of these techniques remain often unsuccessful. There exits a lack of awareness among the management scientist regarding the problems and constraints actually faced by the managers in orgnanization, particularly because of their remoteness from the actual some of the workplace activities.