The key difference between administration and management is that administration is the science of determining the policies and objectives of an organization or a firm, whereas management is the act of putting into practice the policies and objectives framed by the administration.
Administration and management are two common words in the world of organizational dynamics. While they may seem synonymous at first glance, a closer examination reveals that they represent distinct but interconnected functions within an entity’s framework.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Administration
3. What is Management
5. Administration vs. Management in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Administration vs. Management
What is Administration?
Administration is the structured process of establishing an organization’s policies and objectives, shaping its long-term direction, and making crucial decisions. It’s essentially about figuring out what the organization stands for and where it’s heading.
Administrators, the people in charge of this process, are commonly found in various sectors like government, religion, the military, and education. Their primary role is to set the rules, define the values, and determine the overall path the organization will take.
In practical terms, administrators focus on the big picture, thinking about the organization’s future sustainability and growth. Whether they’re making government policies, setting spiritual guidelines for a religious group, outlining strategic goals for a military unit, or planning the educational curriculum for students, administrators play a fundamental role in shaping the organization’s identity and purpose.
What is Management?
Administration is the structured process of establishing an organization’s policies and objectives, shaping its long-term direction, and making crucial decisions. It’s essentially about figuring out what the organization stands for and where it’s heading.
Administrators, the people in charge of this process, are commonly found in various sectors like government, religion, the military, and education. Their primary role is to set the rules, define the values, and determine the overall path the organization will take.
In practical terms, administrators focus on the big picture, thinking about the organization’s future sustainability and growth. Whether they’re making government policies, setting spiritual guidelines for a religious group, outlining strategic goals for a military unit, or planning the educational curriculum for students, administrators play a fundamental role in shaping the organization’s identity and purpose.
What is the Difference Between Administration and Management?
Administration is a determinative function responsible for determining an organization’s policies and long-term objectives. Management is an executive function focused on executing the policies and objectives established by the administration and operationalizing them. The key difference between administration and management is that administration is the science of determining the policies and objectives of an organization or a firm, whereas management is the act of putting into practice the policies and objectives framed by the administration.
Moreover, administration operates at the top level of an organization and exercises control over its overall direction. Management typically functions at the middle level of the organizational hierarchy, overseeing day-to-day activities and operations. In addition, administration has the authority to make vital decisions that shape the core direction and long-term strategy of the organization. Although management can make decisions within a defined framework, it often requires approval from administration for significant decisions. Another difference between administration and management is that administrators are found in government, educational and religious bodies, whereas managers are found in business firms.
The following table summarizes the difference between administration and management.
Summary – Administration vs. Management
Administration is primarily focused on planning, strategic decision-making, and setting the organization’s strategic course. On the other hand, management’s primary focus is on practical execution, emphasizing the methods and day-to-day operations required to meet administrative expectations. This is the key difference between administration and management.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Organisational Chart” By Miramaldives – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia