Chapter 1 - Origins of Management Sciences

Summary

Management as a subject of scientific interest dates back to the end of the 19^th century. However, this does not mean that it was only then when humanity learned how to manage. The very idea of managerial processes is as old as civilization itself. Management, as a specific set of actions leading to a particular aim, was not of special interest because on the one hand, it used to be perceived as something natural, a thing that does not require any clarification, and on the other, it was not until the end of the 19^th century that humanity was faced with the problem of the lack of possibility for further development. Humanity vividly resembled a statement made by Marshall McLuhan: “Fish don't know water exists till beached [McLuhan 2001: 57].” This statement refers to communication processes, but what is most striking about this statement is Mc Luhan's accuracy regarding the previous handling of managerial processes.

Management from a historical perspective

Each civilization requires the use of processes currently referred to as management. It seems that until the beginning of the 20^th century, the set of actions that comprised management were not defined by the use of this term. Previously, it was the sentiment of McLuhan's simile that was applied in reference to such cases. At the same time one may say that humanity, in this respect, resembled Mr. Jourdain by Molier, a person unaware that he has been speaking only in prose all his life [Molier 1951: 29]. Indeed, in order to raise any edifice or undertake any enterprise, it would be essential to plan it above all, organize and manage, and fi nally to control whether the enterprise has been carried out according to the undertaken plan. In a word, one must perform actions which, according to one of the definitions, are referred to as functions of management [Griffi n 1999: 37]. One has to agree with these researchers who demonstrate that the phenomenon of organization and the management process are a few thousand years older than the reflection upon them [Griffin 1999: 37].