Lecture 5PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCE12 March 2012

The main aim of this lecture is to discuss the second structural element of a science the foundational assumptions with specific reference to management science In the last class we have established the subject matter of management science: organization as an idea, organization as an activity (process, systematization), organization as a product; human members of the organization; human qualities required; tools of management (tangible and conceptual); environmental factors involved Our immediate goal is to increase our knowledge about the subject matter. [1] In order to achieve this goal, we have to study in detail the various entities that constitute the subject matter.[2] However, the study has to be carried out within a certain theoretical framework that is, epistemologically speaking, subject to certain limitations. These limitations are dictated by the assumptions we make about the entities in the subject matter under study. The most important assumptions are about the human entities treated by management science [3] Assumptions have also to be made about concepts that have been developed relating to the entities, for example, concept of leadership and followership Assumption 1: about mans social nature (man is a social being); management science does not have to prove this statement; it is proved in social philosophy; some consequences of this assumption are also not necessary to be proved in management science[1] Man has a natural liking for organization: he is aware that he is not totally independent; he depends on others for many things he needs; thus the importance of mutual help and cooperation; organization is a pre-condition for social progress[2] There are many types of organization: management chooses the particular type of organization it wants to study in accordance with its objectives and methods of study (specific organization to produce a specific product)[3] Man as a group has a potential capacity to overcome problems and make progress (man is a problem-solving animal, which is a corollary of man is a rational animal): management science makes assumptions about human capital in accordance with its perspectives (e.g. instinct for survival; thinking ability, intellectual-rational power; creativity; knowledge-capital: categorizations and commodification of knowledge; expertise as a precious commodity)[4] Man has both positive and negative qualities (intellectual-rational and ethical-moral): this statement is established in philosophy of psychology (metaphysical psychology as contrasted with scientific psychology); management science again selects the key qualities it needs for itself; social or group psychology is therefore an important aspect of management[5] Positive qualities that strengthen organizations: sincerity, honesty, loyalty (related to sense of belonging), patience, diligence, generosity (spirit of wanting to give more than what one receives), good capacity for sharing both in good and bad times, truthful, intelligence, wisdom, good thinking ability (analytical mind, holistic thinking, broad-minded), humility towards knowledge (prepared to acknowledge mistakes and correct them and to learn from others)[6] Negative qualities that weaken organizations: the opposite of the qualities mentioned above