Is management a full - fledged …

Management is a profession but not a full-fledged profession like legal, accounting or medical professions because it does not meet the exact criteria of a profession............. Restricted entry: The entry to the above stated profession is restricted through a prescribed qualification. But there is no restriction on anyone being appointed as a manager in any business enterprise. So, presently this feature of profession is not present in management...............2) Ethical code of conduct: Legal and medical professions are bound by a code of conduct which guides the behaviour of its members. AIMA has devised a code of conduct for Indian managers but there is no statutory backing for this code. So, presently this feature of profession is not present in management..........3) Service motive: The motive of legal and medical profession is to serve their client’s interests by rendering dedicated and committed service. The basic purpose of management to help the organisation achieve its goals by providing good quality products at reasonable prices, thereby serving the society is being increasingly recognised. So, presently this feature of profession is not fully present in management.??

No, management is not a full fledged profession because of the following reasons:

(i) Restricted Entry: The entry to a profession is restricted through acquiring an educational degree. For example, a degree in Law is essential for joining the Law profession. But as far as the management is concerned there is no such condition for being a manager. Hence, on this basis management cannot be accepted as a profession.

(ii) Professional Association: The profession must have a representative professional association which performs the following important functions:

(a) To regulate entry, (b) To grant certificate of practice, and (c) To create a code of conduct for guiding the activities of the profession.

In India, Representative Professional Associations with regard to other professions have already been established. There are representative professional associations like the Bar Council of India for Lawyers; Medical Council of India for Doctors; Institute of Chartered Accountants forChartered Accountants, etc. For managers. All India Management Association (A1MA) has been established. But it is not essential to be a member of the AIMA in order to be a manager.Therefore, on this basis management cannot be accepted as a profession.

(iii) Ethical Code of Conduct: Members of a profession are bound to follow a code of conduct. By Code of Conduct, we mean the rules and regulations framed to guide the behaviour of professionals. The code of conduct of already recognised professions like Law, Medical and Chartered Accountant, etc. have already been prescribed but no such code of conduct has been laid down in connection with management. On this basis it can be asserted that management is not at all a profession.