What is Management?

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What is Management? Student Support Career Opportunities Major Requirements

The American Management Association defines management as "the process of getting work done through people." It is management's responsibility to achieve and maintain a business organization's effectiveness. Traditionally, management includes the following activities: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. More specifically, management is responsible for the primary activities of the firm; those being inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and service.

Management is also responsible for the support activities of infrastructure (accounting, finance, strategic planning), human resource management (recruiting, training and development, compensation management), technology development (product and process improvement), and procurement (material acquisition).

Management crosses cultural boundaries as most organizations of significant size operate internationally. Primary and support activities are performed in an international context.