(1) Universal Applicability:
Universality refers to that truth which is equally applicable in all spheres (both business and non-business). The principles of management are also universal in nature.
All business (industrial units, etc.) and non-business organizations (educational institutions, government offices, playgrounds, agricultural farms, army, clubs and other social organizations), in order to achieve their objectives have to apply more or less the same principles.
(2) General Guidelines:
The principles of management are not definite like the principles of physics and chemistry. The principles of physics and chemistry are very clear and definite, and their outcomes can be predicted. The principles of management, on the other hand, are of the nature of general guidelines, and they cannot be applied strictly.
(3) Formed by Practice and Experimentation:
Principles of management are the results of various problems faced by the professional people. First of all problems appeared and then through careful research work solutions were found. Thus, we recognize the solutions, found with the help of practice and experience, as principles of management.
For example, the principle of ‘Unity of Command’ must have emerged when two groups of people must have been compared wherein the first group of people had one boss while the second group of people had two bosses. Undoubtedly, the first group of people must have performed better.
(4) Flexibility:
The principles of management as they exist today are not in the form of final truths. As and when political, economic and social changes take place, new kinds of problems arise. Old principles are altered and new principles are propounded. Therefore, the principles of management are dynamic in nature and cannot be called stagnant or fixed.
(5) Mainly Behavioral:
The principles of management are directly concerned with human behavior. The management activity is mainly concerned with management of man, who is a social animal having his own nature, desires and expectations which cannot be repressed or eliminated.
This is the main reason why the principles of management are affected by human behavior, and often human behavior is the main hindrance in the successful application of principles of management.
For example, the principle of division of work is usually adopted for increasing efficiency, but after doing the same work repeatedly a person gets bored (this is human behavior), thereby resulting in a decrease in efficiency.
(6) Relationship between Cause and Effect:
The principles of management establish a relationship between cause and effect. They specify what the ultimate outcome will be if in a particular situation, work is done in a particular manner.
For example, if according to the principle of division of work, the work is divided into different parts, each part being assigned to a particular person according to his interests and capability, then it will result in an increase in overall efficiency.
(7) Contingent:
The principles of management are not fixed or permanent. They are affected by situations or circumstances. Therefore, the decision to implement them or not is taken according to the situations or circumstances.
For example, according to the principle of division of labor a worker should be assigned a definite part of a job time and again to increase his efficiency. But on the contrary, if a worker is fed up with doing a job repeatedly, the application of this principle will not be beneficial. Therefore, it will have to be changed.