Answer: Principles of management are broad guidelines for decision-making and action. Their nature is:
- Universal application: They apply to all types of organisations, business and non-business, small and large.
- General guidelines: They are guidelines, not rigid rules; they must be applied with judgment according to the situation.
- Flexible: They can be modified to suit the changing needs and conditions of the organisation.
- Formed by practice and experiment: They are developed through the experience, observation and experiments of managers.
- Cause and effect relationship: They show the relationship between cause and effect, e.g. fair remuneration leads to satisfied employees.
- Contingent: Their application depends on the prevailing circumstances.
- Mainly behavioural: They aim to influence human behaviour, as management deals with people.