Definition of management.—­To discuss this subject more in detail—­

    First:  What is “Management”?

“Management,” as defined by the Century Dictionary, is “the art of managing by direction or regulation.”

Successful management of the old type was an art based on no measurement.  Scientific Management is an art based upon a science,—­upon laws deducted from measurement.  Management continues to be what it has always been,—­the art of directing activity.

Change in the accepted meaning.—­“Management,” until recent years, and the emphasis placed on Scientific Management was undoubtedly associated, in the average mind, with the managing part of the organization only, neglecting that vital part—­the best interests of the managed, almost entirely.  Since we have come to realize that management signifies the relationship between the managing and the managed in doing work, a new realization of its importance has come about.[6]

Inadequacy of the terms used.—­It is unfortunate that the English language is so poor in synonyms in this field that the same word must have two such different and conflicting meanings, for, though the new definition of management be accepted, the “Fringe” of associations that belong to the old are apt to remain.[7] The thoughts of “knack, aptitude, tact, adroitness,”—­not to speak of the less desirable “Brute Force,” “shrewdness, subtlety, cunning, artifice, deceit, duplicity,” of the older idea of management remain in the background of the mind and make it difficult, even when one is convinced that management is a science, to think and act as if it were.

It must be noticed and constantly remembered that one of the greatest difficulties to overcome in studying management and its development is the meaning of the terms used.  It is most unfortunate that the new ideas have been forced to content themselves with old forms as best they may.

Psychological interest of the terms.—­Psychology could ask no more interesting subject than a study of the mental processes that lie back of many of these terms.  It is most unfortunate for the obtaining of clearness, that new terms were not invented for the new ideas.  There is, however, an excellent reason for using the old terms.  By their use it is emphasized that the new thought is a logical outgrowth of the old, and experience has proved that this close relationship to established ideas is a powerful argument for the new science; but such terms as “task,” “foreman,” “speed boss,” “piece-rate” and “bonus,” as used in the science of management, suffer from misunderstanding caused by old and now false associations.  Furthermore, in order to compare old and new interpretations of the ideas of management, the older terms of management should have their traditional meanings only.  The two sets of meanings are a source of endless confusion, unwarranted prejudice, and worse.  This is well recognized by the authorities on Management.